Platelet-Rich Plasma with Endothelial Progenitor Cells Accelerates Diabetic Wound Healing in Rats by Upregulating the...

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biotechnology
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Diabetic wounds are notoriously difficult to heal.
• Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) transplantation and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) show potential but have limitations when used alone.
• The precise mechanisms of EPC function and enhancement in diabetic wound healing require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the combined efficacy of PRP and EPC transplantation for diabetic wound healing.
• To explore the role of the Notch signaling pathway in mediating the effects of PRP on EPCs.
• To evaluate the in vivo therapeutic potential of combined PRP and EPC treatment.

Main Methods:

• Assessed the impact of PRP on EPC proliferation and migration in vitro.
• Utilized shNotch1-transfected EPCs to investigate the Notch signaling pathway's involvement.
• Evaluated wound healing, neovascularization, and wound size in a rat model of diabetic wounds.

Main Results:

• PRP application enhanced EPC proliferation and migration.
• PRP upregulated Notch pathway-related gene and protein expression in EPCs, indicating PRP enhances EPC function via Notch1 signaling.
• Combined PRP and EPC transplantation significantly improved neovascularization and reduced wound size in vivo.

Conclusions:

• PRP provides essential growth factors, while EPC transplantation supplies reparative cells, making their combination a potent therapeutic strategy.
• The Notch signaling pathway is crucial for mediating PRP's beneficial effects on EPCs in wound healing.
• Combined PRP and EPC transplantation represents a promising novel approach for treating refractory diabetic wounds.