RESEARCH

The human amniotic membrane (hAM) is the innermost part of the placenta. Our research is focused on the regenerative, anticancer and antimicrobial properties of hAM and its derivatives, i.e. scaffolds, homogenates and extracts. To analyze the effect and mechanism of action of hAM on normal and cancerous urothelial cells and uropathogenic bacteria, 2D and 3D in vitro models, light and electron microscopy, and various molecular methods are used.

​

Notable publications:

• Janev, A., Ramuta, T.Ž., Tratnjek, L., Sardoč, Ž., Obradović, H., Mojsilović, S., Taskovska, M., Smrkolj, T., Kreft, M.E. (2021). Detrimental Effect of Various Preparations of the Human Amniotic Membrane Homogenate on the 2D and 3D Bladder Cancer In vitro Models. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2021 Jun 25;9:690358. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.690358.

• Ramuta, T. Ž., Tratnjek, L., Janev, A., Seme, K., Starčič Erjavec, M., & Kreft, M. E. (2021). The Antibacterial Activity of Human Amniotic Membrane against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Associated with Urinary Tract Infections: New Insights from Normal and Cancerous Urothelial Models. Biomedicines, 9(2), 218.

• Jerman, U. D., Veranič, P., Cirman, T., & Kreft, M. E. (2020). Human Amniotic Membrane Enriched with Urinary Bladder Fibroblasts Promote the Re-Epithelization of Urothelial Injury. Cell transplantation, 29, 963689720946668.

• Ramuta, T. Ž., Starčič Erjavec, M., & Kreft, M. E. (2020). Amniotic Membrane Preparation Crucially Affects Its Broad-Spectrum Activity Against Uropathogenic Bacteria. Frontiers in microbiology, 11, 469.

• Ramuta, T. Ž., Jerman, U. D., Tratnjek, L., Janev, A., Magatti, M., Vertua, E., Bonassi Signoroni, P., Silini, A. R., Parolini, O., & Kreft, M. E. (2020). The Cells and Extracellular Matrix of Human Amniotic Membrane Hinder the Growth and Invasive Potential of Bladder Urothelial Cancer Cells. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 8, 554530. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2020.554530.

• Jerman, U. D., Veranič, P., & Kreft, M. E. (2014). Amniotic membrane scaffolds enable the development of tissue-engineered urothelium with molecular and ultrastructural properties comparable to that of native urothelium. Tissue engineering. Part C, Methods, 20(4), 317–327.