Suppression of corneal neovascularization by culture supernatant of human amniotic cells.

PURPOSE: To examine the applicability of culture supernatant of human amniotic cells on basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced corneal neovascularization.

METHODS

Human amniotic epithelial and mesenchymal cells (AC) were obtained from human amniotic membranes by digesting with collagenase and maintained in serum-containing medium. The AC preparations predominantly contained cytokeratin-positive cells (91.2 +/- 3.1%, n = 4). The culture supernatant was prepared by cultivating AC in serum-free medium for 24 hours. Neovascularization was obtained by a micropocket assay with Hydron pellets containing bFGF. Migration assay was carried out by a double-chamber method using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Cell growth assay was done by MTT assay using HUVEC.

RESULTS

Basic fibroblast growth factor-induced corneal neovascularization was significantly reduced by administration of AC culture supernatant. When either control or AC culture supernatant was administered three times per day for 10 days, the area with neovascularization was 13.2 +/- 3.2 mm2 and 4.0 +/- 1.4 mm2 for the control and AC culture supernatant-treated eyes, respectively (n = 7, p = 0.021). AC culture supernatant strongly inhibited bFGF-induced migration and cell growth of HUVEC.

CONCLUSIONS

Amniotic cell culture supernatant contains potent inhibitors of neovascularization. This effect is explained in part by inhibition of migration and cell growth of vascular endothelial cells. AC culture supernatant may be applicable for treatment of corneal diseases with neovascularization.