title: A novel cross-linked human amniotic membrane for corneal implantations.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Al2(SO4)3 cross-linked human amniotic membrane for ocular surface reconstruction using tissue culture techniques. The human amniotic membrane was cross-linked with Al2(SO4)3, and the cross-linked human amniotic membrane was characterized for its mechanical properties, percentage of swelling in water, sterility, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The potential of cross-linked human amniotic membrane to support the attachment and proliferation of corneal limbal epithelial cells was assessed in vitro, using static culture system. About 125% increase in the tensile strength was observed in the cross-linked human amniotic membrane compared to human amniotic membrane. Infrared spectroscopy studies have confirmed the cross-linking of human amniotic membrane with Al2(SO4)3. The cross-linked human amniotic membrane was found to be sterile up to 1 year. In culture studies, confluent sheets of epithelial cells were seen at the end of 14th day resembling the morphological features of limbal epithelia. The cross-linked human amniotic membrane has exhibited improved mechanical properties, and the tissue culture studies have shown its feasibility to be used as a limbal transplant. It was concluded that the crosslinked human amniotic membrane with its improved mechanical properties could be used on par with human amniotic membrane.
authors: Bio-Products Laboratory, Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, India.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sekar
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Sasirekha
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Krishnakumar
authors: T P
authors: TP
authors: Sastry
mesh_terms: D000534:Alum Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D000650:Amnion / Q000737:chemistry*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000534:Alum Compounds; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; C041524:aluminum sulfate