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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Isolation, Cryopreservation and Culture of Human Amnion Epithelial Cells for Clinical Applications
Published on: December 21, 2014
Amniotic membrane grafts, "fresh" or frozen? A clinical and in vitro comparison
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Queen Mary Westfield College, Mile End, London E1 4NS, UK. p.j.adds@qmw.ac.uk
Background/Aims:
The use of "fresh" (hypothermically stored) and frozen amniotic membrane (AM) was compared in a patient with cicatricial pemphigoid with stem cell failure. The viability of both "fresh" and frozen AM epithelial cells was assessed after storage.
Methods:
AM was stored at either +4 degrees C ("fresh") or at -80 degrees C (frozen). A "fresh" graft was applied to the cornea following superficial keratectomy. Subsequently, a further frozen graft was applied to the same eye. Viability of the stored AM epithelium was assessed by investigating membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity.
Results:
In both cases the cornea re-epithelialised and visual acuity improved. Improvement, however, was not sustained.
Conclusion:
Although both procedures led to an improvement in visual acuity, "fresh" tissue performed no better than frozen in promoting re-epithelialisation. The authors suggest that logistical, safety, and cost considerations outweigh any benefits of using "fresh" as opposed to frozen graft material.
