Study of human amnion cells outgrowth in three-dimensional Collagen I and Fibrin matrices for the treatment of PPROM

Abstract

PPROM occurs in approximately 1% of all pregnancies and 30–40% of preterm deliveries. No satisfactory treatment of PPROM is currently available. Here we studied the human amnion epithelial and mesenchymal cells cultured in three-dimensional (3D) collagen I and fibrin matrices with the objective to develop an implant for application in PPROM. To mimic the architecture of native amnion, amnion mesenchymal cells were embedded in 3D matrices and epithelial cells were placed on top of these matrices. Cell viability, morphology and proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) were investigated. Epithelial and mesenchymal cells in modified 3D fibrin cell-matrix systems remained vital and acquired their natural morphologies. In addition, in fibrin matrices supplemented with fibronectin, mesenchymal cells activated proteolytic programs of tissue repair, demonstrated by the activation of MMP-9. We also studied the growth of amnion cells in collagen I matrix. One limitation of this approach is contraction of collagen I matrices. In vivo, such a size reduction would result in failure of the implant followed by clinical consequences. In contrast to the collagen I matrix, no decrease in the size of fibrin cell-matrices was observed. To conclude 3D fibrin matrices supplied with amnion cells might be useful in treatment of PPROM.