The Makeup Of Birthing Tissue

What is found in birthing tissue that can be useful for wound covers? Aside from having live cells, the most abundant components by mass within a tissue like the umbilical cord is collagen, primarily Collagen Type I. These birthing tissues also contain other common molecules of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) including more structural proteins like fibronectin and fibrillin, smaller proteins like growth factors and cytokines, and glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid(1–3).

These tissues contain a wide variety of growth factors and cytokines, with roughly 500 different soluble proteins identified so far4. Including transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), platelet derived growth factor-AA (PDFG-AA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiogenin-4, all known to be involved in cell proliferation(3).

Why These Components Matter | Factors Found in Placental Membrane

Collagens are the most abundant proteins in the body, yet many studies show that readily available collagen added into a wound space contributes to wound healing, aid in the formation of blood vessels and arteries, and can reduce time to heal(5–7). Studies like these are the basis for the large influx of collagen dressings.

Hyaluronic acid has also been shown on multiple occasions to aid in the healing of wounds(8–11). Not only does birthing tissue contain a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, but when used as a wound dressing it has the potential to form into a natural hydrogel dressing, depending on how the tissue is processed.

These hyaluronic acid-based gels are exceptional at retaining moisture and can absorb much of the fluid which exudes from many wounds. Although not a pretty picture, these performance characteristics are vital when healing difficult wounds such as ulcers. Furthermore, the soluble proteins fulfill a host of important roles in wound healing. In addition to cell proliferation described previously, these cytokines and growth factors modulate inflammation, regulate cell growth, aid in revascularization, among many others(3).

Works Cited
1. Restb M.Moradi; Améli, S. FrancaJ. ; C. R. R. G. M. van der. Microfibrillar composition of umbilical cord matrix: Characterization of fibrillin, collagen VI and intact collagen V. Placenta (1998).
2. Azusa Matsumotoa; Terue Kawabataa; Yasuo Kagawaa; Kumiko Shojia; Fumiko, Kimurabc; Teruo, Miyazawad; Nozomi, Tatsutae; Takahiro, Arimaf; Nobuo, Yaegashig; Kunihiko, N. Associations of umbilical cord fatty acid profiles and desaturase enzyme indices with birth weight for gestational age in Japanese infants.
3. Barrientos, S., Stojadinovic, O., Golinko, M. S., Brem, H. & Tomic-Canic, M. PERSPECTIVE ARTICLE: Growth factors and cytokines in wound healing. Wound Repair and Regeneration 16, (2008).
4. Bullard, J. D. et al. Evaluation of dehydrated human umbilical cord biological properties for wound care and soft tissue healing. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials 107, 1035–1046 (2019).
5. Fleck, Cynthia A.; Chakravarthy, D. Understanding the Mechanisms of Collagen Dressings. Advances in skin & wound care (2007).
6. Karr, J. C. et al. A morphological and biochemical analysis comparative study of the collagen products Biopad, Promogram, Puracol, and Colactive. Advances in skin & wound care 24, 208–216 (2011).
7. Schultz, G. S. & Wysocki, A. Interactions between extracellular matrix and growth factors in wound healing. Wound Repair and Regeneration 17, 153–162 (2009).
8. M Prosdocimi 1, C. B. Exogenous hyaluronic acid and wound healing: an updated vision. Panminerva Med. (2012).
9. Nyman, Erika MD, PhD; Henricson, Joakim PhD; Ghafouri, Bijar PhD; Anderson, Chris D. MD, PhD; Kratz, Gunnar MD, P. Hyaluronic Acid Accelerates Re-epithelialization and Alters Protein Expression in a Human Wound Model. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2019).
10. Véronique Voinchet 1, Pascal Vasseur, J. K. Efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid in the management of acute wounds. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2006).
11. Litwiniuk, M., Krejner, A. & Grzela, T. Hyaluronic Acid in Inflammation and Tissue Regeneration. Wounds (2016).

Keep It Cool

Cryopreservation is often been a topic of interest in science fiction where subjects are preserved and revived at a later time. As far-fetched as some of these scenarios may be, the concept of lowering the temperature of living tissues, such as cells, into a point of suspended animation is not only possible but has been the primary means for long-term preservation of tissues and cells.1

In order to maintain the viability of the donor tissue, it cannot be stored with simple cooling or freezing techniques for long periods of time due to the formation of ice crystals, osmotic shock, and membrane damage that occurs during the freezing and thawing process.2 Cells and tissues must be maintained at -136°C or colder to be optimally preserved with their viability intact for very long periods of time. There are a few cells and tissue types that can be stored at higher temperatures around -80°C such as amnion tissue, bone and cartilage. However, in order to preserve the naturally occurring factors found in Wharton’s Jelly, we align with scientific and research standards that specify the use of liquid nitrogen and cryoprotectants as an absolute necessity.3,4,5,6,7,8

Although the temperature in which human cell and tissue products are preserved is important, the methodology deployed in the freezing process is what truly determines the viability of the tissue’s characteristics. If cells or tissues are cooled down too slowly or quickly, various mechanical stresses, such as ice crystals or dehydration, in the cells or tissues can occur which will negatively affect clinical outcomes. The same goes for the use of proper cryoprotectant media, if you do not use the proper amount it can be ineffective or even harm the cells or tissue to be preserved.2,8

Our proprietary cryopreservation process was developed after years of experience using mammalian cells and tissues. The viability of our cryopreserved products has been verified in numerous in-house quality control checks, third-party laboratories, and by peers within the industry.

Our commitment to quality and safety go hand in hand with our endeavor to protect and preserve the products that we develop.

1. Pegg D.E. “Principles of cryopreservation”. Methods Mol Biol. 2007;368:39–57.
2. Karlsson J.O., Toner M. “Long-term storage of tissues by cryopreservation: critical issues”. Biomaterials. 1996;17:243–256.
3. Miyahmoto, T., Ikeuchi, M., Noguchi, H., Hayashi, S., “Long-term Cryopreservation of Human and other Mammalian cells at -80C for 8 years” Cell Medicine Volume 10: 1-7, 2018
4. Hernández-Tapia LG, Fohlerová Z, Žídek J, Alvarez-Perez MA, Čelko L, Kaiser J, Montufar EB. “Effects of Cryopreservation on Cell Metabolic Activity and Function of Biofabricated Structures Laden with Osteoblasts”. Materials (Basel). 2020 Apr 22;13(8):1966.
5. Brockbank, K. G. M. “Essentials of cryobiology.” In Principles of Autologous, Allogeneic, and Cryopreserved Venous Transplantation. (Ed. K. G. M. Brockbank), RG Landes Company, Austin, TX (Medical Intelligence Unit Series) Springer-Verlag, 91-102, 1995.
6. Nishiyama, Y., Iwanami, A., Kohyama, J., Itakura, G., Kawabata, S., Sugai, K., Nishimura, S., Kashiwagi, R., Yasutake, K., Isoda, M., Matsumoto, M., Nakamura, M. and Okano, H. “Safe and efficient method for cryopreservation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem and progenitor cells by a programmed freezer with a magnetic field.” Neuroscience Research Volume 107, June 2016, Pages 20-29
7. K. Imaizumi, N. Nishishita, M. Muramatsu, T. Yamamoto, C. Takenaka, S. Kawamata, K. Kobayashi, S. Nishikawa, T. Akuta “A simple and highly effective method for slow-freezing human pluripotent
8. Nover, Adam B et al. “Long-term storage and preservation of tissue engineered articular cartilage.” Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society vol. 34,1 (2016): 141-8. doi:10.1002/jor.23034

Standards

The ethos of “do no harm” and then “do good” is a principle that we have ingrained into our minds and hearts. The safety of our clients is the most important aspect of our products and we achieve this by following quality standards and procedures that are higher than current industry standards.

All of our human cell and tissue products begin with the donor. We work closely with our vendors on a daily basis and have co-developed collection protocols to reduce the degradation of the tissue and minimize contamination. Along with the techniques involved with the collection of the tissue all donors are prescreened utilizing an extensive Donor Risk Assessment Interview (DRAI) that includes social, medical, travel and familial history.

After the donor has been cleared the collected tissue is transported to our laboratory and inspected. Each shipment of tissue is visually checked for abnormalities and then temperature tested to validate that proper cold transport had been conducted. Once the tissue has been received and cleared it is then prepped for processing. The tissue is cleaned utilizing aseptic techniques and transported into our ISO 7 Cleanroom where it undergoes our proprietary tissue processing without the use of digestive enzymes.

A total of 3 samples are taken from each processed tissue
• Sample A is quantitatively examined through our in-house flow cytometry
• Sample B is sent to a third-party laboratory that tests for sterility and bacterial endotoxins
• Sample C is analyzed in-house for Particulate testing

The remaining product is then sent into a vapor phase liquid nitrogen tank where they are held in quarantine.

In order for the products to be determined to be safe for release the test results from the samples, the donor’s bloodwork and medical history are reviewed by one of our MD medical reviewers. The process from the collection to distribution is tracked and recorded at every stage.

Our stringent quality control measures help to reduce not only variation within the product, but most importantly provides safety that healthcare providers can rely on. Only 70% of the donated tissues pass our rigorous quality inspection and standards. The source of our human cell and tissue products are abundant and readily available, but it’s our expertise in the process, the science and the data that sets us apart from the rest.

Better begins with Standards.