Experimental evaluation of safety and efficacy of human amniotic membrane transplantation in rabbit’s corneal stroma
Hossein Aghamollaei1 , Farshid karimi2 , Majid kadkhodaei3 , Mahsa Fallah Tafti 4 , Mohammad Hadi Dianat2 , Khosrow Jadidi5 *
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Iran university of medical sciences
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Group, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
- Vision Health research Center, Semnan university of medical sciences, Semnan Iran
Abstract: Corneal stromal disorders can be associated with thinning stromal tissue and visual impairments. Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) is used as a therapeutic method for the treatment of ocular surface disorders. Here, for the first time, the safety and stability of acellular human amniotic membrane (hAM) in the rabbit’s corneal stroma were investigated.
Methods: Characterized hAMs are employed for implantation in three rabbit’s cornea by creating a manual unilateral stromal pocket. The examinations of graft bio-integration are taken by corneal imaging using slit lamp, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and pentacam after one, three, and nine months. Also, histopathological analysis in the rabbit’s was performed after 9 months.
Results: A series of complications such as opacity, neovascularization, infections, and rejection was not observed in the follow-up . Slit lamp microscopy and OCT imaging showed stability of hAM in the rabbit’s stroma. The results of histopathological analysis after 9 months show well-integrated grafts.
Conclusion: This study indicates hAM as a naturally safe, stable and compatible matrix in the corneal stroma. This natural material can be used in corneal drug delivery or cell therapy studies.
