Influence of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Chondrogenic Differentiation and Proliferation of Chondrocytes and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

Background/Aims: Autologous chondrocyte (CC) transplantation has the disadvantages of requiring two surgical interventions and in vitro expansion of cells, implying the risk of cellular dedifferentiation. Our clinical aim is to develop a one-step procedure for autologous CC transplantation, i.e. harvesting, isolation and reimplantation of CC performed in one single surgical procedure. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a source of autologous growth factors reported to have mitogenic effects. The objective of this study was to test the influence of PRP as an autologous scaffold on freshly isolated CC and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Methods: CC and MSC were subjected to two- or three-dimensional (3D) growth systems, either with or without PRP. Chondrogenic differentiation was determined via quantification of collagen type II mRNA and immunohistochemical staining. Results: We observed a proliferative effect for MSCs exposed to PRP in monolayer culture and an increase in the expression of chondrogenic markers when cells are exposed to a 3D environment. CCs exposed to PRP show a decrease in the chondrogenic phenotype with increasing proliferative activity. Conclusion: PRP has a proliferative effect on CCs and MSCs. In a one-step procedure for autologous CC transplantation, this might be an advantage over other scaffold materials, but confirmation in in vivo studies is required.

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

“…Our explanation was already supported by Gulotta et al, who suggested that the majority of patients who undergo this surgery experience immediate chondrocyte necrosis after surgery, followed by a reincorporation of their grafts [11]. In this process, PRP may have a reinforcement on chondral regeneration and proliferation of chondrocytes as a biologic inducer in the short term [16,26].…”

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

“…Interestingly, PRP or platelet supernatant stimulates the proliferation of articular chondrocytes, but has no effect on chondrocyte differentiation or even leads to dedifferentiation towards a fibroid phenotype as shown in bovine, ovine and human chondrocytes. [32][33][34] In contrast, PRP also stimulated the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells but did not induce stem cell differentiation as shown in the ovine model. 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.…”

“…[32][33][34] In contrast, PRP also stimulated the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells but did not induce stem cell differentiation as shown in the ovine model. 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.…”

The effects of synthetic and natural scaffolds on viability and proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells

“…Drengk et al (2009) demonstrated that activated PRP enhanced cell proliferation in sheep bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs). Another study reported that inactivated PRP could accelerate cell proliferation in human BMSCs (Xie et al 2014).…”