Effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) concentration on proliferation, neurotrophic function and migration of Schwann cellsin vitro

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains various growth factors and appears to have the potential to promote peripheral nerve regeneration, but evidence is lacking regarding its biological effect on Schwann cells (SCs). The present study was designed to investigate the effect of PRP concentration on SCs in order to determine the plausibility of using this plasma-derived therapy for peripheral nerve injury. PRP was obtained from rats by double-step centrifugation and was characterized by determining platelet numbers and growth factor concentrations. Primary cultures of rat SCs were exposed to various concentrations of PRP (40%, 20%, 10%, 5% and 2.5%). Cell proliferation assays and flow cytometry were performed to study to assess SC proliferation. Quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA analysis were performed to determine the ability of PRP to induce SCs to produce nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Microchemotaxis assay was used to analyse the cell migration capacity. The results obtained indicated that the platelet concentration and growth factors in our PRP preparations were significantly higher than in whole blood. Cell culture experiments showed that 2.5-20% PRP significantly stimulated SC proliferation and migration compared to untreated controls in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the expression and secretion of NGF and GDNF were significantly increased. However, the above effects of SCs were suppressed by high PRP concentrations (40%). In conclusion, the appropriate concentration of PRP had the potency to stimulate cell proliferation, induced the synthesis of neurotrophic factors and significantly increased migration of SCs dose-dependently. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Six-month efficacy of platelet-rich plasma for carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective randomized, single-blind controlled trial

“…It is an autologous preparation utilizing the patient’s own blood. Increasing evidence has highlighted the positive effects of PRP on peripheral nerve regeneration with acceptable safety profiles in experimental studies 9–16 . Farrag et al .…”

“…Zheng et al . 16 showed that PRP could stimulate Schwann cell proliferation, secretion of nerve growth factor, and neurotrophic factor in vitro . In contrast, Piskin et al .…”

“…First, the PRP could promote angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and regeneration via direct effects on the MN itself based on previous experimental studies 9–16 . Second, PRP could reduce the inflammation and swelling of the flexor tenosynovitis 52 since we performed perineural injection without intraneural injection to prevent direct nerve trauma.…”

“…PRP has been widely used as a safe and novel treatment in dentistry, orthopedics, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, and cosmetic surgery for three decades 8 . Recently, increasing evidence has revealed the beneficial effects of PRP on axon regeneration and neurological recovery in animal or vitro studies 9–16 . Since 2014, a few studies have applied PRP for treating clinical peripheral neuropathy, with acceptable success rates 17–21 .…”

Platelet-rich plasma for regeneration of neural feedback pathways around dental implants: a concise review and outlook on future possibilities

“…67, 68, 72, 84, 85, 86 In rat studies, the average whole-blood platelet count has been reported to be 478.12 × 10 3  μL −1 , and the average platelet count of PRP was 3 221.34 × 10 3  μL −1 , 72 whereas the effective concentration of platelets in another investigation using rats was 1 500 × 10 3 platelets per μL. 67 Similarly, in an ovine model, restoration of motor function at 12 weeks after peroneal nerve compression injury was achieved using scaffolds and PRGF injections; the platelet count was 202 × 10 3 –349 × 10 3  μL −1 .…”