Effects of A-PRF+ Extract at Different Concentrations on the Metabolic Activity and Migration of Dental Pulp Stem
Duyen Ngoc-Minh Tran1,2, Minh Duc Nguyen1, Ninh Hai Truong2
1Odonto-Maxillo Facial Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Background:
Vital pulp therapy (VPT) in mature permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis represents a paradigm shift toward preserving pulp vitality. Advanced platelet-rich fibrin plus (A-PRF+) is a bioactive scaffold capable of releasing high concentrations of growth factors; however, its concentration-dependent effects on inflamed pulp-derived stem cells remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the concentration-dependent effects of A-PRF+ and identify a biologically favorable concentration range for supporting the functional activity of dental pulp stem cells isolated from teeth with irreversible pulpitis.
Methods:
IP-DPSCs were isolated from inflamed pulp tissues and characterized by flow cytometry and trilineage differentiation assays. A-PRF+ was prepared using the low-speed centrifugation concept (LSCC). Cells were exposed to sequential dilutions of A-PRF+ extracts (100%, 50%, and 25%). Cell metabolic activity was assessed using the MTT assay. Cell migration was evaluated using a scratch assay, and wound closure rates were quantified with ImageJ software. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way or two-way ANOVA with appropriate post-hoc tests.
Results:
Flow-cytometric analysis showed high expression of MSC-associated markers (CD44, CD73, and CD90) and negligible expression of hematopoietic markers, while differentiation along osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages was observed following induction culture. A-PRF+ exhibited a biphasic concentration-dependent effect. The 25% extract significantly enhanced cell migration, achieving a wound closure rate of 27.09 ± 4.03%, compared with 13.16 ± 4.50% in the 100% extract group (p = 0.013). Undiluted A-PRF+ showed inhibitory effects on both migration and metabolic activity.
Conclusion:
A-PRF+ exerted concentration-dependent effects on IP-DPSCs, with diluted preparations supporting greater migration and metabolic activity than undiluted extracts. These findings suggest the existence of a biologically favorable concentration range for A-PRF+ and provide a rationale for further investigation of concentration optimization in regenerative endodontic applications.
