Application of amniotic membranes in clinical medicine

The amniotic membrane (AM), or amnion, is the innermost layer of the placenta; it surrounds the embryo and delimits the amniotic cavity, which is filled with amniotic fluid. The use of AM in various medical areas has been increasing in recent years due to its extracellular matrix structure, presence of stem cells, and biological properties that improve both wound healing and tissue regeneration. The amnion also possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antiangiogenic properties. It does not cause immune reactions, and its use does not raise ethical concerns. This review describes the application of the membrane in ophthalmology, dermatology, gynecology, and other fields. The membrane can be used as either a whole tissue or a matrix for stem cell culturing in vitro. The review also discusses the results of using amnion epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells in the therapy for Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and fibrosis due to myocardial infarction. Conclusion. AM has many properties that prevent scar formation, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing. Due to these properties, AM is used in many fields of medicine, and further studies on its structure, functions and properties will undoubtedly reveal new areas of clinical application. Key words: amnion, amniotic membrane, human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells, human amniotic epithelial stem cells, amniotic membrane transplantation