title: New Amniotic Membrane Based Biocomposite for Future Application in Reconstructive Urology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Due to the capacity of the amniotic membrane (Am) to support re-epithelisation and inhibit scar formation, Am has a potential to become a considerable asset for reconstructive urology i.e., reconstruction of ureters and urethrae. The application of Am in reconstructive urology is limited due to a poor mechanical characteristic. Am reinforcement with electrospun nanofibers offers a new strategy to improve Am mechanical resistance, without affecting its unique bioactivity profile. This study evaluated biocomposite material composed of Am and nanofibers as a graft for urinary bladder augmentation in a rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sandwich-structured biocomposite material was constructed from frozen Am and covered on both sides with two-layered membranes prepared from electrospun poly-(L-lactide-co-E-caprolactone) (PLCL). Wistar rats underwent hemicystectomy and bladder augmentation with the biocomposite material.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistohemical analysis (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E], anti-smoothelin and Masson's trichrome staining [TRI]) revealed effective regeneration of the urothelial and smooth muscle layers. Anti-smoothelin staining confirmed the presence of contractile smooth muscle within a new bladder wall. Sandwich-structured biocomposite graft material was designed to regenerate the urinary bladder wall, fulfilling the requirements for normal bladder tension, contraction, elasticity and compliance. Mechanical evaluation of regenerated bladder wall conducted based on Young's elastic modulus reflected changes in the histological remodeling of the augmented part of the bladder. The structure of the biocomposite material made it possible to deliver an intact Am to the area for regeneration. An unmodified Am surface supported regeneration of the urinary bladder wall and the PLCL membranes did not disturb the regeneration process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Am reinforcement with electrospun nanofibers offers a new strategy to improve Am mechanical resistance without affecting its unique bioactivity profile.
authors.affiliation: Chair of Urology, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Medical College in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.|Department of General, Oncologic and Pediatric Urology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adamowicz
authors.affiliation: Chair of Urology, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Medical College in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pokrywczyńska
authors.affiliation: Chair of Urology, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Medical College in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.|Department of Urology, Nicolaus Copernicus Hospital Batory, Torun, Poland.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tworkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Modeling in Biology and Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Shane V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: van Breda
authors.affiliation: Chair of Urology, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Medical College in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.|Department of General, Oncologic and Pediatric Urology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tyloch
authors.affiliation: Chair of Urology, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Medical College in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kloskowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bodnar
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry of Biomaterials and Cosmetics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skopinska-Wisniewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marszałek
authors.affiliation: Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw.
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frontczak-Baniewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanics and Physics of Fluids, Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Kowalewski
authors.affiliation: Chair of Urology, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Medical College in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.|Department of General, Oncologic and Pediatric Urology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.|Department of Urology, Nicolaus Copernicus Hospital Batory, Torun, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Drewa
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002470:Cell Survival; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials