Advances in the application of human amniotic membrane for tissue repair

Human amniotic membrane (hAM) is a widely used biomaterial with longstanding utility in ophthalmology and emerging therapeutic promise across orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and dermatology. Clinically available biological tissue repair materials primarily encompass autologous, allogeneic, and xenogeneic tissues. However, autologous materials are limited by availability, while allogeneic and xenogeneic tissues often present challenges related to immunocompatibility. As a commonly used allogeneic biomaterial, the hAM is regarded as a highly promising tissue repair material owing to its favourable immunological profile and exceptional tissue-regenerative properties. HAM is the innermost natural barrier of the placenta and possesses unique structural and biological characteristics that facilitate tissue repair and regeneration. This review summarizes recent advances and clinical applications of hAM in orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and dermatology, specifically focusing on its roles in promoting tendon repair, alleviating osteoarthritis, repairing endometrial injury, treating diabetic foot ulcer, and enhancing burn wound healing. With the continued development of regenerative medicine, hAM is expected to play an increasingly important role in diverse tissue repair and regenerative medicine applications.