purpose. Amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation is an accepted procedure in ocular surgery. However, little is known of the interdonor and intradonor variability within the membrane. In addition, the effects of the methods of processing, storage, and preoperative preparation on the membrane are not fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to use TGF-β as an example to investigate interdonor and intradonor variability and to determine the effect of “handling” on TGF-β1 within fresh, processed and stored, and transplantation-ready AM (TRAM).

methods. Seventeen human AMs, both fresh and handled, were analyzed for TGF-β1 by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, SDS-PAGE, and Western blotting.

results. TGF-β1 was the highest normalized expressed isoform of TGF-β in all samples, but it varied between membranes of different donors and at different sites within the same membrane. The highest concentration was noted in the spongy layer. Removal of the spongy layer successfully removed the bulk of TGF-β1 from TRAM. Latency-associated protein (LAP) and a latent TGF-β–binding protein (LTBP) were also detected.

conclusion. TGF-β1 is present in various regulatory forms in the AM. A degree of intermembrane and intramembrane variation is modified by handling. Unless a standardized protocol is adopted that delivers a membrane with consistent constituents, clinical outcomes may vary and comparisons may be invalid.