Human Perinatal-Derived Biomaterials

Abstract

Human perinatal tissues have been used for over a century as allogeneic biomaterials. Due to their advantageous properties including angiogenecity, anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, and immune privilege, these tissues are being utilized for novel applications across wide-ranging medical disciplines. Given continued clinical success, increased adoption of perinatal tissues as a disruptive technology platform has allowed for significant penetration into the multi-billion dollar biologics market. Here, we review current progress and future applications of perinatal biomaterials, as well as associated regulatory issues.

Keywords: clinical applications; placental biomaterials; regenerative medicine; regulations.

Figure 1. Placenta as biomaterials source

Among components used clinically, the placenta can be dissected into four main groups including the umbilical arteries, the umbilical vein, the fetal membranes, and the villous placenta (cotyledons). Processing these components is fundamental to their use as biomaterials, with the most common methods including both chemical and mechanical based purification, extraction, and isolation techniques. Many preclinical studies are in progress to evaluate the use of the placental biomaterials as part novel tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches. Medical disciplines in which these materials have been successfully clinically applied include cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, neurology, opthamology, orthopedics, and general surgery.

Figure 2. Placental-derived biomaterial properties and proteins

Placental biomaterials have been shown to be angiogenic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, in addition to having low immunogenicity and wound healing characteristics. This wide array of properties is the result of material derivation from a highly vascular organ that is associated with fetal development and facilitates the exchange of nutrients and waste between two separate blood supplies, while also acting as a barrier to prevent reactivity between two immune systems.

Figure 3. Placenta as source for cardiovascular biomaterials

The human umbilical vein (top left) and rolled amniotic membrane (top right) have been proven effective as scaffold for vascular reconstruction.[34,48] Placental derived matrix has been shown to induce angiogenesis.[15] Bottom left represents capillaries formed in vitro on human placental matrix coated TC plate. Bottom right image shows neo-angiogenesis of blood vessels after (rat) implantation of a biomaterial made using human placental matrix.

Figure 4. Compositional analysis of a placental protein complex by molecular function, role, and derivation

LC-MS/MS was used to analyzed a placenta protein complex (hPM) isolated from a whole placental villous bed with attached fetal membranes.[15] Detected proteins (data from McFetridge lab) were then grouped according to their associated biological process, cell component derivation, and molecular function.