The amniotic membrane as a biological scaffold, its preparation and use in regenerative medicine in Slovenia

Abstract

Amniotic membrane (AM) is the innermost layer of the placenta, surrounding and protecting the embryo. AM is a multilayered tissue composed of amniotic epithelial cells, amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells, basal lamina, and stroma. AM’s properties, which are the result of its structural features, render it extremely useful for therapeutic purposes, since it enhances epithe-lisation, is a substrate for cell growth, decreases fibrosis and tissue neovascularisation and has antimicrobial properties. Due to its mechanical properties, which are mostly a result of the basal lamina’s and stroma’s extracellular matrix, and different growth factors that it contains, AM is increasingly used as a biological scaffold in regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine is an interdisciplinary field of research and clinical applications, utilising principles of biological and engineering sciences for the development of viable tissue or organ substitutes. In regenerative medicine, we distinguish between three approaches: 1) engraftment of functional cells (including stem cells) into the damaged or defective tissue; 2) reshaping of the damaged or defective tissue using synthetic or natural materials; and 3) tissue engineering, i.e. the use of scaffolds for the enhancement of the growth of tissue-specific cells and development of new, regenerated tissue. Furthermore, we present the use of AM as a biological scaffold in regenerative medicine in Slovenia.