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The Impact of Surgical Trauma-Activated Platelet-Rich Fibrin on Mesenchymal Stromal Cells In Vitro
René D Verboket1, Lea Usov1, Isabell Bohl1
1Department of Trauma Surgery and Orthopaedics, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
Introduction:
platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a second-generation platelet concentrate which is known for promoting cell migration, tissue repair, angiogenesis and bone formation. In contrast, the specific effects of trauma-activated PRF on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are not yet fully understood. The present study investigates systemic effects of surgical trauma-activated PRF on MSCs in vitro, analyzing their metabolic activity, inflammatory responses, and regenerative capacity to optimize advanced treatment concepts for severe fractures and injuries.
Material & Methods:
PRF membranes (T-PRF from trauma patients, C-PRF from healthy controls) were generated. After co-incubation with MSC cells for 24, 72, and 120 h, further investigations of metabolic activity (MTT assay) and gene expression analyses were performed.
Results:
for MTT assay, results especially showed a significantly higher metabolic activity of T-PRF after 120 h. ELISA-results measuring cytokine levels (CXCL10, IL-6, VEGF, and IDO) exposed a frequent peak in T-PRF group at 72 h, declining slightly at 120 h. In the gene expression analyses, T-PRF exerted a comparatively stronger stimulating effect on MAPK14 and VEGFA after 24 h, while a decrease in gene expression for MAPK8, MAPK14, and RUNX2 was observed over time.
Conclusion:
surgical trauma-activated PRF seems to be a powerful inducer of early inflammatory and stress responses in MSCs with preserved angiogenic but limited osteogenic signaling. Therefore, a targeted balance between inflammatory activation and sustainable regeneration, as well as optimized preparation and possible combination with immunomodulatory approaches, appear to be crucial for the therapeutic success of PRF-based strategies.
Insights
Surgical trauma-activated platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) enhances mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) metabolic activity and early inflammatory responses. However, T-PRF shows limited osteogenic signaling, suggesting a need for balanced therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a second-generation platelet concentrate promoting tissue repair.
- The effects of trauma-activated PRF on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) require further investigation.
- Understanding these interactions is key for optimizing treatments for severe injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the systemic effects of surgical trauma-activated PRF on MSCs in vitro.
- To analyze MSC metabolic activity, inflammatory responses, and regenerative capacity.
- To optimize advanced treatment concepts for severe fractures and injuries.
Main Methods:
- PRF membranes were generated from trauma patients (T-PRF) and healthy controls (C-PRF).
- MSCs were co-incubated with PRF membranes for 24, 72, and 120 hours.
- Metabolic activity (MTT assay) and gene expression analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- T-PRF significantly increased MSC metabolic activity at 120 hours.
- Cytokine levels (CXCL10, IL-6, VEGF, IDO) peaked in the T-PRF group at 72 hours.
- T-PRF initially stimulated MAPK14 and VEGFA gene expression but decreased RUNX2 expression over time.
Conclusions:
- Trauma-activated PRF induces early inflammatory and stress responses in MSCs.
- PRF preserves angiogenic but shows limited osteogenic signaling in MSCs.
- Optimizing PRF preparation and potentially combining it with immunomodulatory approaches is crucial for therapeutic success.
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