January 6, 2015

Cryopreservation Preserves Biological Properties of Amniotic Membrane and Umbilical Cord Tissue Essential for Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Scarring Effects

Study concludes cryopreservation preserves biological tissue properties while dehydration drastically alters the structural and biological integrity of the tissue

Miami, Fla., January 06, 2015 – BioTissue, Inc.®, the industry leader in regenerative tissue therapies and ocular hygiene products for lid margin and ocular surface diseases, announces a study published in the Journal of Wound Care concludes that cryopreservation preserves biological properties of amniotic membrane and umbilical cord tissue essential for anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring effects while dehydration drastically alters the structural and biological integrity of this tissue.

The peer-reviewed study, Comparison of Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane and Umbilical Cord Tissue with Dehydrated Amniotic Membrane/Chorion Tissue, directly compares the CRYOTEK® preservation method with the PURION® (dehydration) processing method.  The study intended to verify whether different processing methods might affect tissue integrity and therapeutic potential and demonstrates the following conclusions:

  • Cryopreservation retains the delicate native architecture of the amniotic membrane (AM)/umbilical cord (UC) extracellular matrix. Dehydration dramatically compacts the tissue, suggesting alteration of critical components within.
  • Cryopreservation maintains the quantity and activity of key biological signaling proteins (specifically the Heavy Chain Hyaluronic Acid/Pentraxin 3 complex) present in fresh AM/UC. In contrast, dehydrated tissues almost completely lackeds these crucial components. This effector  molecule is responsible for promoting regenerative healing.

The study evaluated how the different processing methods, cryopreservation and dehydration, affect the structural integrity and biological composition of key signaling molecules within umbilical cord and amniotic membrane tissues. The results indicated that cryopreservation better preserves the structural integrity and biological signaling molecules of these tissues.

“Our findings support the notion that cryopreservation did not cause notable changes in the original relevant tissue characteristics of the umbilical cord/amniotic membrane matrix when compared to fresh tissue, while dehydration drastically altered the structural and biological integrity of the tissue,” said Scheffer C.G. Tseng, MD, PhD, Chief Science Officer of TissueTech. “It definitively brings to light the considerable differences in the structural and biological properties of cryopreserved and dehydrated placental tissues.”

About BioTissue®

BioTissue, Inc., a subsidiary of TissueTech, is a privately heldophthalmic biotechnology company that develops innovative wound healing andhygiene solutions for the prevention and treatment of ocular surfacediseases and disorders. BioTissue provides a comprehensive lineof cryopreserved amniotic membrane ocular wound healing products,including AmnioGraft®, a biologic ocular transplantation graft;AmnioGuard®, a biologic glaucoma shunt tube graft; and the PROKERA® familyof biologic corneal bandage devices. These products incorporatehuman amniotic membrane processed with the Company’s proprietary CryoTek®method that ensures the tissue retains its full biologic activity toreduce inflammation, promote healing, minimize corneal scarring and pain,and inhibit control theangiogenic process. BioTissue also developed and markets the Cliradex®line of products, a natural lid, lash and facial cleanser with4-Terpineol, the active component of tea tree oil (TTO), for themanagement of symptoms in ocular diseases such as blepharitis, demodex,and rosacea.

About TissueTech

TissueTech, Inc. is a leader in regenerative amniotic tissue-based products for use in the ophthalmology, optometry, musculoskeletal and wound care markets. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has supported TissueTech’s research with more than 25 continuous years of research grants. Since inception, more than 130,000 human implants have been conducted using the Company’s patented CRYOTEK process and 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications have been produced supporting the technology platform. The Company has pioneered the clinical application of human amniotic membrane and its role in mesenchymal stem cell research. The Company’s first product, AmnioGraft®, is the only tissue graft designated by the FDA as homologous for promoting ophthalmic wound healing while suppressing scarring and inflammation.

PURION® is a registered trademark of MiMedX Group, Inc.

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