The Role of Amnion-Derived Cells in Wound Healing

---

Vivienne S. Marshall, PhD

Stemnion, Inc

Military significance: The conservation of the army's fighting strength has always been the primary goal of the combat medical care delivery system. There has been significant change in types of injuries seen in recent armed conflicts compared to those seen in Vietnam. Most of the injuries chronicled were external and soft tissue. However, in the Afghanistan and Iraqi theaters, the injuries are different due to body armor protection of the torso, armored vehicles exposing the head, neck, and upper extremities, and the increased use of improvised explosive devices (IED's). These combine to produce survivable injuries with loss of tissue and/or limb amputations.

A new approach to this loss of tissue and resultant scarring with decreased function would result in a significantly higher return to the unit of the injured soldier. Extremity injuries have been reported 50-70% of injuries in Iraq and in almost 70% of battle casualty patients evacuated to Germany. Thermal injuries constitute 5-20% of conventional warfare casualties. Skin replacement and lack of rapid wound closure delay return to unit of these casualties. Wound failure, wound dehiscence, and wound infection all delay return to function. Amnion-derived cells display many favorable characteristics of stem cells, including the ability to differentiate to many cell types, including skin, hair, neurons, cardiac muscle, liver, pancreas, and possibly vascular tissue. Amnion-derived cells have a unique secretory profile, producing many cytokines and growth factors known to be involved in wound healing and the inflammatory response. Since they are isolated from the non-controversial full-term placenta, they are abundantly available, sourced from many different immunotypes, and proliferate quickly and robustly in culture. Amnion-derived cells, or their secretory portfolio, may provide a novel treatment option after injury.