In vitro assessment of a novel, hypothermically stored amniotic membrane for use in a chronic wound environment

Chronic wounds require extensive healing time and place patients at risk of infection and amputation. Recently, a fresh hypothermically stored amniotic membrane (HSAM) was developed and has subsequently shown promise in its ability to effectively heal chronic wounds. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of action that contribute to wound-healing responses observed with HSAM. A proteomic analysis was conducted on HSAM, measuring 25 growth factors specific to wound healing within the grafts. The rate of release of these cytokines from HSAMs was also measured. To model the effect of these cytokines and their role in wound healing, proliferation and migration assays with human fibroblasts and keratinocytes were conducted, along with tube formation assays measuring angiogenesis using media conditioned from HSAM. Additionally, the cell-matrix interactions between fibroblasts and HSAM were investigated. Conditioned media from HSAM significantly increased both fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation and migration and induced more robust tube formation in angiogenesis assays. Fibroblasts cultured on HSAMs were found to migrate into and deposit matrix molecules within the HSAM graft. These collective results suggest that HSAM positively affects various critical pathways in chronic wound healing, lending further support to promising qualitative results seen clinically and providing further validation for ongoing clinical trials.