[Utility of amniotic cells plus collagen I complex for fetal membrane healing]

Abstract

Objective: To study the feasibility of using amniotic cells plus collagen I complex for fetal membrane healing.

Methods: Human amnion mesenchymal cells were embedded in three-dimensional (3D) collagen I and epithelial cells placed on the top. The amniotic cells plus collagen I complex was created to mimic the architecture of native amnion. As judged by DAPI staining, the number of amniotic cells cultured in 3D collagen I was counted after incubation for 2 and 8 days. The tensile strength of collagen I with a varying number of amniotic mesenchymal cells was measured after a 15-day incubation.

Results: At Days 2 and 8, the mean number of mesenchymal cells was (121 ± 5)/cm(2) and (124 ± 4)/cm(2) (P > 0.05). The size of collagen I matrix was reduced to 45%, 15%, 14% at Days 5, 10, 15 respectively. Mesenchymal cell was capable of remodeling collagen I (P < 0.01) and it could not be inhibited by GM6001 and/or aprotinin. The tensile strength of amniotic cells plus collagen I scaffold complex was strengthened with an increasing number of amnion mesenchymal cells (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The amniotic cells plus collagen I complex may be useful for healing preterm premature rupture of the membrane (PPROM).