Abstract
Abstract: :
Purposes To study the influence of amniotic membrane on the morphology and function of human conjunctival epithelial cells. Methods Isolated human conjunctival epithelial cells were cultured on the basement membrane and stromal surface of an acellular human amniotic membrane. After 14 days, the cultured epithelial cells were examined histologically with staining of HE, PAS, transmission electronic microscopy, and immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies, Pan-Keratin and Vimentin. Results The cultured cells attached to the amniotic membrane within 72 hours. Conjunctival epithelial cells cultured on basement membrane formed a well-organized monolayer. When cultured on the stromal side, they formed clumps and appeared less ordered. Transmission election microscopy showed cultures on basement membrane had more mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum than cultures on stromal. There were a large number of intracellular desmosomes and hemidesmosomes in the cells cultured on basement membrane, while no one was observed in the cells cultured on stromal. On immunohistochemical examination, cultures on basement membrane were stained positive for keratin, but cultures on stromal were stained positive for vimentin. Conclusions The basement membrane of amniotic membrane is the proper substrate for the growth of human conjunctival epithelial cells. It facilitates epithelial proliferation, prevent epithelial aging, and reinforces adhesion of the epithelial cells. It can guide the epithelial cells differentiation along the right direction.
Keywords: conjunctiva • anatomy • cytology