Properties of AniCell BioTech’s amniotic membrane and amnion-derived products.
Amniotic materials have several properties that confer suitability as a wound covering or “biological bandage”. These include:
- Biocompatiblity– Low or nonimmunogenicity of the tissue impedes rejection by the animal host.
Reference: Hori J, et al. (2006) Immunological characteristics of amniotic epithelium. Cornea 25: S53-S58
- Durability– The complexity and unique arrangement of specialized structural proteins (collagen, laminin, elastin, proteoglycans, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, etc.) provide substantial mechanical integrity and viscoelastic properties that are important for forming a barrier to protect and separate wounds from the outside environment.
Reference: Niknejad H, et al. (2008) Properties of the amniotic membrane for potential use in tissue engineering. Eur Cell Mater 15: 88-99
- Hydratabililty– The high concentration of carbohydrate side-groups in the extracellular matrix molecules that comprise the amniotic membrane allow for generous hydration of the biomaterial, which can be beneficial for decreasing wound dehydration and requiring fewer dressing changes.
Reference: Loeffelbein DJ, et al. (2014) Evaluation of Human Amniotic Membrane as a Wound Dressing for Split-Thickness Skin-Graft Donor Sites. BioMed Res Int 2014: Article ID 572183
- Resorbability– Since the natural amniotic membrane biomaterial is resorbable, it does not have to be physically removed from the wound after application which could perturb the wound bed and generate greater trauma.
Reference: Branski LK, et al. (2008) Amnion in the treatment of pediatric partial-thickness facial burns. Burns 343: 393-399
- Self-adherence– As a naturally adhesive substrate and biomaterial, the amnion is adherent to wounds and permissive to cell adhesion and ingrowth, acting as a scaffold when the animal’s body is building new tissue.
Reference: Koizumi N, et al. (2007) Comparison of intact and denuded amniotic membrane as a substrate for cell-suspension culture of human limbal epithelial cells. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 24: 123
- Semipermeability- Gas exchange through the membrane material provides a healthy environment for allowing the animal’s own healing mechanisms to progress.
Reference: Hopf HW and Rollins MD. (2006) Wounds: An overview of the role of oxygen. Antioxid Redox Signal 9: 1183-1192