Adhesion between Amniotic Membrane and Retinal Tissue and Inhibition of Amniotic Membrane on Cell Transformation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Tissue adhesion rate between the amniotic membrane and the retinal tissue and histological change of the retinal tissue was studied. And the inhibition effect of amniotic membrane on the retinal pigment epithelial cell transformation was evaluated. METHODS: The human amniotic membrane and the porcine retinal tissue flap were used. The sensory retinal flap and the retinal pigment epithelial flap were placed on the amniotic membrane in culture disk. Tissue adhesion was evaluated and graded at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks. Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemical staining and Masson's trichrome staining were performed for histologic study. Transmitted electron microscope examination was performed to study the stabilization effects of amniotic membrane. RESULTS: Tissue adhesion rates showed no significant change until the 4th week, but tend to decrease in the 5th week of organotissue culture. Tissue adhesion rate was higher in the chorion-side than in the amnion-side culture (p=0.000) and was higher in the retinal pigment epithelial than in the retinal flap (p=0.000). The inhibition of cell transformation was higher in the chorion-side culture than in the amnion-side culture. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane can be used for prevention of proliferative vitreoretinopathy by its mechanical barrier effect and cell stability effect.