New technology utilizing the characteristics of the amniotic membrane ArBlast strives to put to practical use and commercialize the cornea regeneration technique developed by Professor Shigeru Kinoshita at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine. Applicable to a wider variety of cases than conventional corneal transplants, our cornea regeneration product lines will contribute to enhancing the QOL of eye patients. We focus our development efforts on using amniotic membrane, a human body tissue with particularly outstanding features.

Collagen sheet derived from human amnion

We have succeeded in developing a process for refining the amniotic membrane discharged from a woman’s body after childbirth, without sacrificing the membrane’s inherent characteristics. The amniotic membrane is flexible and strong, rich in collagen and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Free of pathogenicity and antigenicity, refined amniotic membrane is suitable as a culture medium for various cells. Our proprietary freeze-dried collagen sheet derived from human amnion is useful in various medical situations, because it can be sterilized and stored for a long time at ambient temperature.

Cultured corneal epithelial cell sheet

Using our proprietary process, corneal epithelial cells are cultured on amnion collagen sheet to manufacture a two-layered collagen sheet. When used for treatment, the entire sheet is transplanted to the cornea without being separated into two layers. The amnion collagen sheet, which functions as a culture medium, has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps the corneal epithelial sheet take hold and survive on the living body. Transplanting the two layers of the sheet together therefore expedites post-operative recovery. Cultured corneal epithelial cell sheet is believed to be applicable to all ocular surface diseases. This product is particularly useful for treating acute ocular surface diseases amenable to no other treatment.

Cultured oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet

This sheet uses cells from the patient’s oral mucosa and is designed to serve corneal epithelial functions. Because it uses the patient’s own cells, cell-difference-induced post-transplant rejection reactions do not occur. This product is also applicable to treatment for bilaterally affected patients, from whom no corneal cells can be harvested. This sheet functions almost the same way as the corneal epithelial sheet.

References
Koizumi N, Inatomi T, Nishida K, Sotozono C, Yokoi N, Kinoshita S. Amniotic membrane transplantation for reconstruction of severely diseased ocular surfaces. Japanese Journal of Ophthalmic Surgery.1999; 12: 391-394

Koizumi N, Inatomi T, Suzuki T, Sotozono C, Kinoshita S. Cultivated corneal epithelial transplantation for ocular surface reconstruction in acute phase of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001; 119: 298-300

Nakamura T, Koizumi N, Tsuzuki M, Inoki K, Sano Y, Sotozono C, Kinoshita S. Successful regrafting of cultivated corneal epithelium using amniotic membrane as a carrier in severe ocular surface disease. Cornea. 2003; 22: 70-71

Nakamura T, Yoshitani M, Rigby H, Fullwood, NJ, Ito Wakana, Inatomi T, Sotozono C, Nakamura T, Shimizu Y, Kinoshita S. Sterilized, freeze-dried amniotic membrane ：A useful substrate for ocular surface reconstruction. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004; 45: 93-99

Kinoshita S, Nakamura T. Development of cultivated mucosal epithelial sheet transplantation for ocular surface reconstruction. Artif Organs. 2004; 28: 22-27

Nakamura T, Inatomi T, Sotozono C, Amemiya T, Kanamura N, Kinoshita S. Transplantation of cultivated autologous oral mucosal epithelial cells in patients with severe ocular surface disorders. Br J Ophthalmol. 2004; 88: 1280-1284