Objective: The amniotic membrane (AM) is the innermost layer of the placenta and has unique biological and mechanical properties that make it a good biomaterial for tissue engineering. AM possesses most characteristics required for an ideal skin substitute. It has unique biological properties including anti-scarring, anti-microbial and low immunogenicity that render it a desirable biomaterial for biological dressing and healing promotion. It consists of a monolayer of amniotic epithelial cells, a dense basal lamina and an avascular stroma, which is subdivided into compact, fibroblast, and spongy layers. Different types of collagens, proteoglycans, glycoproteins, laminin and fibronectin are present in the stromal layer. AM has proven to be an acceptable scaffold and can be used as an effective carrier for expansion and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Materials and Methods: In this study, human amniotic membrane was obtained from Mashhad branch of Royan Cord Blood Bank during elective cesareans and transported to laboratory on ice. The membrane was then washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) divided in to fragments and cryopreserved under sterile conditions at -80 °C. Before use, frozen fragments were thawed, washed with sterile PBS and placed on 6 well plates with the stromal side facing upward. MSCs were obtained from adipose tissue (Ad-MSCs) and were seeded on stromal side of AM scaffold at a seeding density of 5 × 105 cells/cm2 and were cultured for 3weeks. The aim of this study was to determine whether Ad-MSCs can attach and migrate in stromal side of the AM. To investigate growth of Ad-MSCs on scaffold, tissues were fixed for histological staining at days 7, 14 and 21. Results: The results demonstrated the successful cultivation of Ad-MSCs on stromal side of the amniotic membrane. Conclusion: This shows that the AM is a suitable scaffold for culture of Ad-MSCs as it supports their proliferation and infiltration.

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