title: Topical Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane and Umbilical Cord Eye Drops Promote Re-Epithelialization in a Murine Corneal Abrasion Model.
abstract: To evaluate morselized amniotic membrane and umbilical cord (AMUC) eye drops in promoting corneal re-epithelialization.
  
  
  
  Following a 2-mm diameter central epithelial wound in one eye of 48 normal C57BL/6 mouse corneas, 10 μL of saline with (n = 24) or without (n = 24) AMUC was applied three times a day for 6 days. The corneal epithelial defect was measured using 0.1% fluorescein, while corneal epithelial regularity was measured by assessment of a reflected light off the corneal surface. Hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry was performed for Ki-67, CD45, βIII-tubulin, and keratin12. Safety and toxicity were also assessed by monitoring physical activity and body weight.
  
  
  
  Compared with the vehicle saline control, AMUC resulted in a significantly smaller corneal epithelial defect at 12 hours (P = 0.002), 1 day (P = 0.016), and 2 days (P = 0.04) post abrasion. Amniotic membrane and umbilical cord also achieved a more rapid complete epithelialization (3.15 ± 1.44 vs. 4.00 ± 1.63 days, P = 0.06) and induced a higher incidence of corneal regularity without affecting physical activity and body weight. Spearman correlation showed that epithelialization was significantly correlated with treatment groups (P < 0.001), time (P < 0.001), and corneal regularity (P = 0.04). Amniotic membrane and umbilical cord significantly decreased CD45+ cell infiltration in the peripheral cornea (P < 0.05) and promoted Ki-67+ cells in the central corneal epithelium (P < 0.05).
  
  
  
  Topical AMUC significantly promotes corneal epithelialization and restores corneal regularity by reducing inflammation and promoting proliferation in a murine model of corneal abrasion without causing safety or toxicity concerns. This encouraging preclinical finding warrants a controlled human trial in the future.
authors.affiliation: TissueTech, Inc., Miami, Florida, United States 2Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tighe
authors.affiliation: Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
authors.forename: Hamid-Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Moein
authors.affiliation: TissueTech, Inc., Miami, Florida, United States.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.affiliation: TissueTech, Inc., Miami, Florida, United States 2Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States 4Ocular Surface Center and Ocular Surface Research & Education Foundation, Miami, Florida, United States.
authors.forename: Anny
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
authors.forename: Pedram
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hamrah
authors.affiliation: TissueTech, Inc., Miami, Florida, United States 4Ocular Surface Center and Ocular Surface Research & Education Foundation, Miami, Florida, United States.
authors.forename: Scheffer C G
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tseng
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion; D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D065306:Corneal Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D062326:Re-Epithelialization / Q000502:physiology*; D014470:Umbilical Cord; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions