Human amniotic membrane (hAM) is widely used in ocular surface reconstruction but is associated with donor variability, processing requirements and limited standardisation. In this study, researchers evaluated the Symatix® electrospun membrane, manufactured by The Electrospinning Company, as a biosynthetic alternative for corneal surface repair. The membrane is composed of electrospun PLGA and hyaluronan and was optimised for surgical handling, transparency, stability and compatibility with limbal epithelial cells. It was assessed alongside fresh and freeze-dried human amniotic membrane using ex vivo surgical simulations and in vitro cell culture models. The authors reported that the Symatix® membrane demonstrated equivalent surgical handling to human amniotic membrane while supporting limbal epithelial cell attachment, proliferation, migration and stratification. Expression of epithelial and extracellular matrix markers, together with rapid wound closure in vitro, further demonstrated its suitability for ocular surface applications. The study concludes that the biosynthetic membrane represents a promising alternative to human amniotic membrane for sight-restoring ocular surface surgery.
Read more: https://tvst.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2793631
