Tissue engineering for neurodegenerative diseases using human amniotic membrane and umbilical cord.

Regenerative medicine, based on the use of stem cells, scaffolds and growth factors, has the potential to be a good approach for restoring damaged tissues of the central nervous system. This study investigated the use of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSC), human amniotic epithelial stem cells (hAESC), and human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSC) derived from human umbilical cord as a source of stem cells, and the potential of the human amniotic membrane (HAM) as a scaffold and/or source of growth factors to promote nerve regeneration. The hAMSC and hAESC obtained from HAM and the hWJMSC from umbilical cords were cultured in induction medium to obtain neural-like cells.

Production of an acellular matrix from amniotic membrane for the synthesis of a human skin equivalent.

Human amniotic membrane (HAM) has useful properties as a dermal matrix substitute. The objective of our work was to obtain, using different enzymatic or chemical treatments to eliminate cells, a scaffold of acellular HAM for later use as a support for the development of a skin equivalent. The HAM was separated from the chorion, incubated and cryopreserved.

Anatomopathological and immunohistochemical study of explanted cryopreserved arteries.

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the mechanism of deterioration of implanted arteries.

Methods: Eleven patients were included. Samples of vascular segments obtained from multiorgan donors and samples of the same vascular segments after explantation in the recipient were analyzed.

Cryopreservation effect on proliferative and chondrogenic potential of human chondrocytes isolated from superficial and deep cartilage.

Objectives: To compare the proliferative and chondrogenic potential of fresh and frozen chondrocytes isolated from superficial and deep articular cartilage biopsies.

Materials And Methodology: The study included 12 samples of fresh and frozen healthy human knee articular cartilage. Cell proliferation was tested at 3, 6 and 9 days.

Culture of limbal stem cells on human amniotic membrane.

Limbal stem cells (LSC) have an important role in the maintenance of the corneal surface epithelium, and autologous cultured limbal epithelial cell (HLECs) transplantations have contributed substantially to the treatment of the visually disabling condition known as LSC deficiency. A major challenge is the ability to identify LSC in vitro and in situ, and one of the major controversies in the field relates to reliable LSC markers. This study was carried out to evaluate the culture of a limbal biopsy on human amniotic membrane (HAM): directly on the chorionic side and on intact epithelium, and the expression of the stem cell associated markers: ABCG2, p63.