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Biologic Modality

Amniotic Membrane
& Fluid

Perinatal tissue derived from the innermost layer of the placenta and the fluid surrounding the fetus. Rich in EGF, bFGF, collagen IV, hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and immunomodulatory. Used clinically since 1910 — the most established perinatal biologic in medicine.

Ophthalmology Wound care Joint pain Anti-adhesive Anti-inflammatory Allogeneic Low immunogenicity
Request Information View Research
1910
First clinical use
Low
Immunogenicity
4
Key properties
IRB
Largest in biologics

How it works

Mechanism of action

Amniotic membrane works through four distinct therapeutic mechanisms — making it uniquely suited for applications where inflammation control, anti-scarring, and tissue protection are the primary goals.

01
Anti-inflammatory
Amniotic membrane suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α) and promotes anti-inflammatory mediators. It entraps infiltrating immune cells and modulates cytokine signaling at the tissue surface — critical for ocular surface repair and chronic wound management where inflammation perpetuates tissue damage.
02
Anti-scarring & Anti-fibrotic
A defining property of amniotic membrane is its ability to prevent scar tissue formation. It suppresses TGF-β signaling and reduces myofibroblast differentiation — the primary driver of fibrotic remodeling. This anti-fibrotic effect is particularly valuable in ophthalmology, where scar formation on the corneal surface impairs vision.
03
Anti-adhesive
The basement membrane structure of amniotic membrane provides a non-adhesive surface that prevents abnormal tissue adhesions during healing. In ophthalmic surgery and wound management, this property reduces post-operative complications from adhesion formation — a unique characteristic not found in other biologic modalities.
04
Growth Factor Delivery
Amniotic membrane is rich in EGF (epithelial growth factor), bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor), KGF (keratinocyte growth factor), TGF-β, and HGF. These factors promote epithelial cell migration and proliferation — accelerating re-epithelialization of corneal ulcers, skin wounds, and mucosal surfaces.
05
Antimicrobial Properties
Amniotic membrane contains defensins, lysozyme, and secretory IgA that provide natural antimicrobial activity. This reduces infection risk in wound and ocular applications without systemic antibiotic use. The antimicrobial effect combined with anti-inflammatory properties creates a protected healing environment.
06
Structural Scaffold
The collagen IV-rich basement membrane of amniotic tissue provides a biocompatible scaffold for cell attachment and migration. In ophthalmology, this scaffold supports limbal stem cell transplantation and corneal reconstruction. In wound care, it provides a temporary matrix that guides tissue repair while biodegrading naturally.

Key components

What makes amniotic
membrane unique

Three product types, each with distinct properties and clinical applications. All sourced from consenting donors at healthy full-term deliveries.

Amniotic Membrane (AM)
The innermost layer of the placenta. Provides structural scaffold, anti-adhesive surface, and growth factor reservoir. Available fresh, cryopreserved, or dehydrated. Most established in ophthalmology — used for over a century in corneal surface reconstruction.
Amniotic Fluid (AF)
The fluid surrounding the fetus. Contains hyaluronan, lubricant proteins, cholesterol, cytokines, and stem cell populations. Similar composition to synovial fluid — making it valuable for intra-articular applications in OA and joint pain. Under active investigation for plantar fasciitis and knee/hip OA.
Chorion Layer
The outermost fetal membrane. Contains higher concentrations of MSCs and growth factors than the amnion layer alone. Combined amnion-chorion products deliver a richer bioactive profile. Used in advanced wound care, oral surgery, and orthopedic applications requiring both structural support and cellular signaling.

Where it works

Clinical Applications

Amniotic membrane has the broadest documented clinical history of any biologic. Over a century of use in ophthalmology, expanding rapidly into orthopedics, wound care, and oral surgery.

👁
Ophthalmology
Corneal ulcers · Ocular burns · Dry eye · SJS
 🩹
Wound Healing
Chronic wounds · Burns · Diabetic foot
 🧎
Joint Pain & OA
Knee OA · Hip OA · Intra-articular
 🦷
Oral & Maxillofacial
Furcation defects · Bone grafting · Implants
 🏻
Dermatology
Scar prevention · Skin grafting · Ulcers
 ⚽
Sports Medicine
Plantar fasciitis · Tendon · Joint support
 🦴
Spine
Dural repair · Anti-adhesion · Post-surgical
 🤰
Reproductive
Uterine adhesions · Emerging applications

Evidence base

Peer-reviewed research on
Amniotic Membrane & Fluid

Amniotic membrane has over a century of clinical use and one of the strongest evidence bases of any biologic modality. Selected from PubMed, PMC, Cureus, and Springer.

Review
Amniotic membrane transplantation: wound healing, tissue regeneration, and immune modulation — comprehensive review
Stem Cell Reviews and Reports · May 2025 · Clinical history from 1910 to present. Ophthalmology, dermatology, orthopedics, and wound healing applications. Anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, anti-adhesive, and antimicrobial mechanisms reviewed
 Review
Amniotic membrane transplantation in ocular surface repair: immunoregulatory pathways in acute and chronic conditions
Ophthalmology and Therapy · May 2025 · Hopkinson et al. · Patch-AMT for chemical burns, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, persistent epithelial defects, and dry eye disease. Cytokine signaling and anti-fibrotic remodeling mechanisms
 Systematic review
Effectiveness of amniotic membrane transplantation in corneal ulcer healing: systematic review of 9 RCTs and prospective studies
Cureus · Jun 2025 · Ahmed et al. · AMT consistently accelerated epithelial healing, reduced healing time vs. controls, improved visual acuity. Adverse effects infrequent, graft failure rare
 Review
Allogenic amniotic tissue for treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis: three prospective clinical trials
PMC · 2022 · Review of Vines et al. (cryopreserved amniotic suspension for knee OA) and Farr et al. (hip OA). Amniotic tissue as emerging alternative for orthopedic OA treatment
 Review
Amniotic membrane transplantation: clinical applications in enhancing wound healing and tissue regeneration across medical disciplines
Springer · Cell Biology and Translational Medicine · 2024 · AMT effective in ophthalmology, dermatology, and orthopedics. Low immunogenicity and anti-microbial properties confirm safe clinical application

Common questions

Questions about
Amniotic Membrane

Amniotic membrane has the longest clinical history of any biologic tissue. John Davis first used human amnion as a skin graft to treat burns in 1910 — over 115 years ago. Its use in ophthalmology for corneal surface reconstruction was revitalized in 1995 by Kim and Tseng, who demonstrated successful healing in severely damaged eyes. Today it is used across ophthalmology, wound care, orthopedics, oral surgery, and spine applications, with a growing body of clinical evidence.
Amniotic membrane is naturally immune-privileged. It expresses low levels of HLA class II antigens and contains factors that actively suppress immune cell activation. This results in very low immunogenicity — meaning allogeneic (donor) amniotic tissue can be used without immunosuppression and with a low risk of rejection. Combined with its antimicrobial properties, this makes it one of the safest allogeneic biologics available.
Fresh amniotic membrane retains the highest biological activity but requires immediate use. Cryopreserved amniotic membrane is stored at -80°C and maintains good biological activity while allowing stockpiling and shipping. Dehydrated amniotic membrane is shelf-stable at room temperature for extended periods — easier to store and transport, but some biological activity may be reduced. Product selection depends on the application, required shelf life, and clinical setting.
A 2025 systematic review of 9 RCTs and prospective studies found amniotic membrane transplantation consistently accelerated epithelial healing, reduced healing time compared to controls, provided early postoperative pain relief, and improved visual acuity in central corneal ulcers. Adverse effects were infrequent and graft failure was rare. The evidence supports AMT as a well-established adjunctive therapy for corneal ulcers where conventional treatments fall short.
Yes. Amniotic fluid has a composition similar to synovial fluid — containing hyaluronan, lubricant proteins, cytokines, and stem cell populations. Intra-articular amniotic tissue injections are being investigated for knee OA, hip OA, and plantar fasciitis. Three prospective clinical trials reviewed in 2022 showed promising safety and efficacy results for knee and hip OA. This is an area of active clinical development with growing evidence.

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Section 361 HCT/P · AATB Accredited · IRB Protected
Important Regulatory Notice

Amniotic membrane and fluid products offered through Our Biologics Distributors are human cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps) regulated under FDA 21 CFR Part 1271, Section 361 where applicable. Products are manufactured in AATB-accredited, GMP-compliant facilities and sourced from consenting donors at healthy full-term deliveries.

These products have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy for every specific indication described. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Results may vary. Clinicians are responsible for independent evaluation of suitability for each patient. This material is intended for licensed healthcare professionals only.

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Products are not FDA approved or licensed to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.