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Updated: May 5, 2026
Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells
Published on: December 27, 2017
Cord blood platelet-rich plasma: proteomics analysis for ophthalmic applications
Maria Cristina Savastano1,2, Federico Giannuzzi3,4, Alfonso Savastano5,6
1Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Cord blood platelet-rich plasma (CB-PRP) contains over 200 proteins, including immune factors and VEGF, showing potential for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Further research will explore its therapeutic effects on dry AMD.
Area of Science:
- Proteomics and Bioinformatics
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Atrophic age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from various sources has shown therapeutic potential.
- Cord blood offers a unique source for PRP with distinct biological properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the protein and complement constituents of cord blood platelet-rich plasma (CB-PRP).
- To investigate the potential of CB-PRP components in addressing the progression of dry AMD.
- To identify shared and unique proteins and associated pathways in CB-PRP pools.
Main Methods:
- Proteomic analysis of two distinct CB-PRP pools from 15 umbilical cord blood donors each.
- Bioinformatic analysis using Reactome software to identify protein pathways.
- Quantification of shared and exclusive proteins between sample pools.
Main Results:
- Identified 307 distinct proteins in CB-PRP, with 215 shared between pools.
- Detected 109 statistically significant pathways, including those related to immune response, signal transduction, and cell communication.
- Confirmed the presence of VEGF factor A and numerous immune-related proteins (e.g., BCR, IL-10).
Conclusions:
- CB-PRP is rich in diverse proteins, including key immune and trophic factors.
- The identified protein profile suggests potential therapeutic applications for dry AMD.
- Further investigation into intravitreal CB-PRP for dry AMD treatment is warranted.
Abstract:
Our objective is to determine the protein and complements constituents of Cord blood Platelet-rich plasma (CB-PRP), based on the hypothesis that it contains beneficial components capable of arresting or potentially decelerating the advancement of atrophic age-related macular degeneration (dry-AMD), with the support of radiomics. Two distinct pools of CB-PRP were assessed, each pool obtained from a total of 15 umbilical cord-blood donors. One aliquot of each pool respectively was subjected to proteomic analysis in order to enhance the significance of our findings, by identifying proteins that are shared between the two sample pools and gaining insights into the pathways they are associated with. The bioinformatics analysis was developed using Reactome software. Three-hundred-seven (307) distinct proteins were found. Two hundred fifteen (215) of the elements mentioned above are shared by both pools. Seventy (70) elements are exclusive to pool S1, while pool S2 contains 22. We detected 109 representative and statistically significant pathways out of 549. We found proteins related to the immune system, signal transduction, vesicle-mediated transport, cell-cell communication, hemostasis, cellular responses to stimuli, cell cycle, and developmental biology. The analysis showed the presence of P15692-12, representing VEGF factor A, long form. With over 200 proteins, the CB-PRP can increase the immune response, including BCR, CD-22, FCGR, phospholipids, IL-10, FCGR-3A, and others. Discovering crucial trophic and complement-regulating variables is highly significant for potential applications in dry AMD. Our future research will examine the effects of intravitreal CB-PRP on dry-AMD eyes.
