[Amniotic Membrane Suspension and Autologous Serum - Are they Important for Wound Healing?]

Autologous serum (AS) and amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) are used in the treatment of several ocular surface diseases. AMT is associated with a surgical intervention. Surgery could be avoided by using eye drops prepared from an amniotic membrane homogenate (AMH) or amniotic membrane suspension (AMS). EGF, bFGF, IL-6 and IL-8 were detected in AMS. However, EGF and bFGF concentrations in AMS were about 1.7-17× lower than in AMH, and IL-6 and IL-8 could not be detected in AMH. 100 % AMS, 15 and 30 % AMH significantly decreased proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) compared to controls (p = <0.002 for all), but 15 and 30 % AMS did not affect proliferation. Migration increased significantly compared to controls with 15 and 30 % AMS (p < 0.001), but did not change significantly with 15 or 30 % AMH (p = 0.153 and p = 0.083). Proliferation of HCECs was significantly greater with 15 % AS than with 30 % AS (p < 0.001). HCEC migration was significantly greater with 30 % AS than with 5 % AS (p < 0.01). In summary, 15 and 30 % AMS and 15 and 30 % AS exhibit the best supportive effect on human corneal epithelial cells. Nevertheless, we always have to keep in mind that individual growth factor concentrations exhibit high inter-individual fluctuations in AS or AMS eye drops.