Amniotic membrane
The invention relates to a preserved amniotic membrane, in particular a vacuum-dried amniotic membrane. It also relates to uses of vacuum-dried amniotic membrane and methods for making a vacuum-dried amniotic membrane. A method of processing an amniotic membrane to provide a vacuum-dried amniotic membrane, comprising the step of vacuum-drying the amniotic membrane Amniotic membrane (AM) is the inner most extraembryonic membrane that surrounds the foetus in a sac of amniotic fluid, functioning as a protective barrier to ascending infection and trauma during pregnancy.
1. A method of processing an amniotic membrane to provide a vacuum-dried amniotic membrane comprising the step of vacuum-drying the amniotic membrane, wherein the membrane is not frozen before or during the vacuum-drying step, and wherein when the membrane is reconstituted the membrane preparation releases epidermal growth factor (EGF) for a period of two or more days.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the membrane is treated with one or more lyoprotectants before vacuum-drying.
3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the one or more lyoprotectant are selected from trehalose and raffinose.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the lyoprotectant is trehalose or raffinose in combination with one or more further lyoprotectants.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the amniotic membrane is treated with an antioxidant before vacuum-drying.
6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the antioxidant is epigallocatechin.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the amniotic membrane is treated with further preservatives before the vacuum-drying step.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the amniotic membrane is treated with thermolysin before vacuum-drying to provide a denuded amniotic membrane.
9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of seeding cells onto the denuded amniotic membrane before vacuum-drying or after reconstituting the membrane.
10. A vacuum-dried amniotic membrane prepared using by the method according to claim 1 .
11. A denuded vacuum-dried amniotic membrane prepared by the method according to claim 8 .
12. A method of treating diseases or injuries of the eye comprising the step of applying a vacuum-dried amniotic membrane prepared by the method of claim 1 to the eye.