https://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh201553541

Effect of viable cryopreserved human amniotic membrane sutured to cornea on course of experimental bacterial keratitis

K.V. Sereda 1, G.I. Drozhzhina 1, T.B. Gaidamaka 1, V.V. Vit 1, V.A. Shabliy 2, G. S. Lobyntseva 2

1 Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy,

2 Institute of Cell Therapy 

Odessa, Kiev (Ukraine)

E-mail: cornea@te.net.ua

Background: Since the human amniotic membrane (AM) has the features suggesting the potential for its use in the treatment of bacterial keratitis, and the efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation for the disease is still poorly understood, the subject matter discussed in the paper is deemed to be relevant.

Purpose: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of a viable cryopreserved human amniotic membrane (secured using various surgical techniques) in an in vivo model simulating bacterial keratitis. 

Materials and Methods: In 30 Chinchilla rabbits (30 eyes; weight, 2.5–3.0 kg), the transplantation of a viable amniotic membrane was performed for the previously developed model of moderate bacterial keratitis. The single layer graft inlay was used, and the amnion was secured to the cornea using eight interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures. Animals were followed up for one month. The control group included ten rabbits with experimental bacterial keratitis which received conventional medical therapy.

Results: At day 30 after AMT, no lysis and partial lysis of the AM was found in 6/10 eyes and 4/10 eyes, respectively. No stromal edema, diffuse stromal edema, and mild stromal edema were found in 2 eyes, 2 eyes and 6 eyes, respectively. Spotty infiltration and the presence of neovascularization were revealed in 2 eyes and 4 eyes, respectively. Additionally, histology revealed complete epithelialization of the wound surface; however, lamellar differentiation of corneal epithelial cells was observed only in the central cornea. In some eyes, initial stromal neovascularization (especially in the superficial stromal lamellae and around the sutures) was noted.

Conclusion: Since in bacteria-induced corneal damage of the same depth the biological covering technique results in a smaller amount of trauma and is accompanied by a lower inflammatory corneal response than those following the AM inlay grafting, the former technique should be preferred to the latter under these circumstances. 

Key words: bacterial keratitis, cryopreserved amniotic membrane, experiment

References

1.Kjaergaard N, Hein M, Hyttel L et al. Antibacterial properties of human amnion and chorion in vitro. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2001;94:224–229.
Crossref

2.Talmi YP, Sigler L, Inge E, Finkelstein Y et al. Antibacterial properties of human amniotic membranes. Placenta. 1991;12:285–8.
Crossref

3.Hao Y, Ma DH, Hwang DG et al. Identification of antiangiogenic and antiinflammatory proteins in human amniotic membrane. Cornea. 2000; 19(3): 348-52.
Crossref

4.Tseng SC, Li DQ, Ma X. Suppression of transforming growth factor-beta isoforms, TGF-beta receptor type II, and myofibroblast differentiation in cultured human corneal and limbal fibroblasts by amniotic membrane matrix. J Cell Physiol. 1999;179:325–35.
Crossref

5.Solomon A, Meller D, Prabhasawat P et al. Amniotic membrane grafts for nontraumatic corneal perforations, descemetoceles, and deep ulcers. Ophthalmology. 2002;109:694-703.
Crossref

6.Gris O, Del Campo Z, Wolley-Dod C et al. Amniotic membrane implantation as a therapeutic contact lens for the treatment of epithelial disorders. Cornea. 2002;21:22–7.
Crossref

7.Khokhar S, Natung T, Sony P, et al.  Amniotic membrane transplantation in refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers: a randomized, controlled clinical trial. Cornea. 2005;24:654–60.
Crossref

8.Prabhasawat P, Tesavibul N, Komolsuradej W et al. Single and multilayer amniotic membrane transplantation for persistent corneal epithelial defect with and without stromal thinning and perforation. Br J Ophthalmol. 2001 Dec;85(12):1455-63.

9.Seitz B. Amniotic membrane transplantation. An indispensable therapy option for persistent corneal epithelial defects. Ophthalmologe. 2007;104:1075–1079.

10.Thatte S. Amniotic membrane transplantation: an option for ocular surface disorders. Oman J Ophthalmol. 2011;5:67-72.

11.Gicquel JJ, Bejjani RA, Ellies P. Amniotic membrane transplantation in severe bacterial keratitis. Cornea. 2007;26:27–33. 

12.Barequet IS, Habot-Wilner Z, Keller N. Effect of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation on the Healing of Bacterial Keratitis.  Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008; 49(1): 163-7.

13.Kim JS, Kim JC, Hahn TW et al. Amniotic membrane transplantation in infectious corneal ulcer. Cornea. 2001;20:720–6.

14.Lobyntseva GS et al, inventors.  [Method for operating cryobank of biological objects]. Ukrainian patent No. 49759. 2004 Nov 15. Ukrainian.

15.Novitskii IIa. [Place of amniotic membrane transplantation in treatment of corneal diseases accompanied by neovascularization]. Vestn Oftalmol. 2003;(6):9-11. Russian.

16.Novitskii IIa, Sarakhman MN, Smal’ TM. [Amniotic membrane transplantation with its securement in corneal layers]. Oftalmokh. 2003;(3):4-7. Russian.

17.Stepanov VK, Ivanov OV. [Use of amniotic membrane as a protective biological bandage of affected cornea and as a corneal graft in keratoplasty]. In: [Proceedings of the 9th Russian Ophthalmological Congress]; Moscow (Russia): 2010. p. 319. Russian.

18.Drozhzhina GI,  Sereda EV,  Gaidamaka TB et al. [Influence of the corneal biological covering with cryopreserved amniotic membrane on the peculiarities of the course of modeled bacterial keratitis]. Oftalmol Zh. 2015;(1):103-109. Russian.

19.Аzuara-Blanco A, Pillai CT, Dua HS.  Amniotic membrane transplantation for ocular surface reconstruction. Br J Ophthalmol. 1999;35:399-402

20.Dravadzhian ZKh,  Ambariumian AV, Ovakimian AV   [Use of amniotic membrane in corneal perforation]. In: [Proceedings of Russian National Ophthalmological Forum]; 2009 Oct 8-9; Moscow (Russia): Moscow Helmholtz Institute if Eye Diseases; 2009. p. 280-4. Russian.

21.Sippel KC, Ma JJ, Foster CS. Amniotic membrane surgery. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2001;12:269-81. 

22.Seitz B, Resch M, Schl?tzer-Schrehardt U et al. Histopathology and ultrastructure of human corneas after amniotic membrane transplantation. Arch Ophthalmol. 2006; 124:1487–90.

23.Drozhzhina GI, Vansovich EV,  Gaidamaka TB, inventors. [Method for modeling moderate bacterial keratitis]. Ukrainian patent No. 87119. 2014 Jan 27. Ukrainian.