Platelet-Rich Plasma Activates Proinflammatory Signaling Pathways and Induces Oxidative Stress in Tendon Fibroblasts

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Tendon injuries are common in active individuals, with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) showing therapeutic promise.
• The precise mechanisms by which PRP promotes tendon regeneration are not fully understood.
• The impact of PRP on macrophage polarization, crucial for tendon healing, remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate cellular pathways activated by PRP in tendon fibroblasts using advanced molecular techniques.
• To investigate the effect of PRP on macrophage polarization phenotypes.

Main Methods:

• Cultured rat tendon fibroblasts and macrophages were treated with either platelet-poor plasma (PPP) or PRP.
• Genome-wide expression profiling, quantitative PCR, and protein analysis were employed.
• Bioinformatics tools were utilized to analyze signaling pathways and gene expression.

Main Results:

• PRP significantly induced TNFα and NFκB signaling pathways in tendon fibroblasts.
• PRP downregulated extracellular matrix gene expression while upregulating autophagy and reactive oxygen species (ROS) related genes.
• PRP demonstrated minimal impact on key markers of macrophage polarization.

Conclusions:

• PRP initiates an inflammatory response and oxidative stress in tendon fibroblasts, likely contributing to tissue regeneration.
• PRP does not appear to substantially influence macrophage polarization in the context of tendon healing.
• PRP may facilitate tendon repair through a transient inflammatory cascade.