RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Successful Anatomic Repair of Fetoscopic Access Sites in the Mid-gestational Rabbit Model Using Amnion Cell Engineering JF In Vivo JO In Vivo FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 745 OP 750 VO 24 IS 5 A1 NIKOLAOS A. PAPADOPULOS A1 DIMITRIOS I. KYRIAKIDIS A1 ULRIKE SCHILLINGER A1 ANTONIOS TOTIS A1 JULIA HENKE A1 LASZLO KOVACS A1 RAYMUND E. HORCH A1 K.T.M. SCHNEIDER A1 HANS-GÜNTHER MACHENS A1 EDGAR BIEMER YR 2010 UL http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/24/5/745.abstract AB Background/Aim: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of in vitro cultured amnion cells, injected and/or seeded in different scaffolds, on in vivo fetal membrane repair. Materials and Methods: Amnion cells, isolated from allogeneic fetal membranes, were cultured on three different scaffolds for 14 to 21 days. In 33 mid-gestational rabbits, fetoscopic access sites were randomly allocated to four closure study groups: conventional collagen plug, as well as collagen plug, collagen foil, and fibrin glue as scaffolds for the cultured amnion cells. All membrane access sites were sealed with fibrin glue, and the myometrium closed with sutures. Fetal survival, amnion membrane integrity, and the presence of amniotic fluid were evaluated one week later. Results: Cultures showed good survival in the collagen scaffolds. The use of collagen plug as a scaffold for the in vitro cultured amnion cells improved the integrity of fetal membranes to 80%, better than that of any other study group. Conclusion: Despite the need for additional studies, the present data suggest that amnion cells can be a practical and important source of cells for the engineering of constructs for sealing of the fetal membrane.