Human Placental-Derived Extracellular Matrix Sheets as Scaffolds for Cell Growth in Cornea Transplantation: A Promising Approach in Regenerative medicine

Abstract

Eye is a sensory organ designed for human vision. Its intricate components work together to make the process of sight possible. The cornea is a critical part of the eye responsible for clear vision, and corneal diseases or injuries can lead to visual impairment or blindness. However, the limited availability of suitable donor tissue poses a significant challenge. There is a significant influence on the quality of life when the visual acuity is reduced. In terms of the overall prevalence of blindness and visual impairment Pakistan ranks third position, following the India and Bangladesh across all age groups, totaling 21.78 million. Placenta-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) sheets have become an effective therapeutic approach due to their rich composition of bioactive molecules, growth factors, and supportive microenvironment for tissue regeneration. The unique composition of placental-derived ECM sheets can provide a favorable microenvironment for the growth of corneal cell and promote the regeneration of corneal tissue. In this study amniotic membrane sheets, have been prepared by decellularizing placental tissue and different characterization techniques have been used for a thorough examination of the human amniotic membrane. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) reveals intricate surface features, while Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining provides insights into tissue architecture. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) offers a detailed examination of biochemical composition. Microbial activity testing provides valuable information of the membrane's antimicrobial properties. A p-value < 0.05 in the ANOVA analysis indicated a significant difference in antimicrobial activity among the three bacterial strains. The characterization approaches utilized in this study contribute to a better knowledge of the biological characteristics of the human amniotic membrane, paving the path for advances in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. In this study a human placental-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) sheets have been used to investigate the integration potential of the ECM sheets with host corneal tissue. The positive outcome was associated with a noticeable reduction in size of corneal defect due to the application of amniotic membrane transplant. The use of AM proved to be essential in reducing notable subjective symptoms like pain, as well as clinical signs such as redness and the size of corneal ulcers.