Buffered Platelet-Rich Plasma Enhances Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Chondrogenic Differentiation

Abstract

The success of tissue engineering applications can potentially be dramatically improved with the addition of adjuncts that increase the proliferation and differentiation of progenitor or stem cells. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has recently emerged as a potential biologic tool to treat acute and chronic tendon disorders. The regenerative potential of PRP is based on the release of growth factors that occurs with platelet rupture. Its autologous nature gives it a significant advantage in tissue engineering applications. To test whether PRP may be useful specifically for cartilage regeneration, a cell culture experiment was devised in which mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were grown in control media or media enhanced with inactivated, buffered PRP. Proliferation 7 days after PRP treatment was increased: 1.041 versus 0.199 for the control media cells ( p < 0.001). The messenger RNA (mRNA) level of the osteogenic marker RUNX2 was 52.84 versus 26.88 for the control group ( p < 0.005). Likewise the mRNA level of the chondrogenic markers Sox-9 and aggrecan was 29.74 versus 2.29 for the control group ( p < 0.001) and 21.04 versus 1.93 ( p < 0.001), respectively. These results confirm that PRP enhances MSC proliferation and suggest that PRP causes chondrogenic differentiation of MSC in vitro.

Human platelet‐rich plasma stimulates migration and chondrogenic differentiation of human subchondral progenitor cells

“…34 In human mesenchymal stem cells, buffered PRP enhanced stem cell proliferation and induced the differentiation along the osteogenic and chondrogenic lineage as shown by the induction of the transcription factors Runx2 and Sox9 in monolayer cultures. 35 As shown here, in high-density pellet cultures, PRP induced the chondrogenic differentiation but not the development along the osteogenic or adipogenic lineage. Obviously, the cell culture or cell differentiation system (monolayer vs. 3D pellet culture) has to be taken into account when assessing the potential of putative chondrogenic inducers.…”

The effect of platelet-rich plasma on osteochondral defects treated with mosaicplasty

“…Many studies have shown that PRP enhances proliferation and chondrogenic stem cell differentiation [35]. However, a limited number of in vivo studies have described the effect of PRP on the histologic appearance of the articular cartilage repair.…”

Treatment of osteochondral defects of the talus

“…362 The in vitro literature indicates that this biological adjunct may increase chondrocyte proliferation as well as synthetic capability, while limiting the catabolic effects of an inflammatory joint environment. 10,233,287,418 In a rabbit model, the addition of PRP showed improved healing of OCDs treated with microfracture surgery. 284 Human studies have reported variable effects of PRP injections alone as well as in addition to surgery.…”