Cx43 mediates changes in myofibroblast contraction and collagen release in human amniotic membrane defects after trauma

The wound healing capacity of the fetal membranes after spontaneous or iatrogenic membrane rupture is unclear. We examined the healing mechanisms in amniotic membrane (AM) defects after trauma. Traumatised human AM defects were cultured for 4 days. Markers for nuclear (DAPI), cell type (vimentin, αSMA) and healing (Cx43, TGFβ 1 , collagen) were examined by immunofluorescence (IMF) confocal microscopy, Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging and...