https://www.cell.com/trends/biotechnology/pdf/S0167-7799(09)00015-8.pdf

Classification of platelet concentrates: from pure platelet-rich plasma (P-PRP) to leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF).

Platelets are known for their role in haemostasis where they help prevent blood loss at sites of vascular injury. To do this, they adhere, aggregate and form a procoagulant surface leading to thrombin generation and fibrin formation. Platelets also release substances that promote tissue repair and influence the reactivity of vascular and other blood cells in angiogenesis and inflammation. They contain storage pools of growth factors including PDGF, TGF-β and VEGF as well as cytokines including proteins such as PF4 and CD40L. Chemokines and newly synthesised active metabolites are also released. The fact that platelets secrete growth factors and active metabolites means that their applied use can have a positive influence in clinical situations requiring rapid healing and tissue regeneration.Their administration in fibrin clot or fibrin glue provides an adhesive support that can confine secretion to a chosen site. Additionally, the presentation of growth factors attached to platelets and/or fibrin may result in enhanced activity over recombinant proteins. Dental implant surgery with guided bone regeneration is one situation where an autologous platelet-rich clot clearly accelerates ossification after tooth extraction and/or around titanium implants. The end result is both marked reductions in the time required for implant stabilisation and an improved success rate. Orthopaedic surgery, muscle and/or tendon repair, reversal of skin ulcers, hole repair in eye surgery and cosmetic surgery are other situations where autologous platelets accelerate healing. Our aim is to review these advances and discuss the ways in which platelets may provide such unexpected beneficial therapeutic effects.

Autologous platelets as a source of proteins for healing and tissue regeneration

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) belongs to a new generation of platelet concentrates geared to simplified preparation without biochemical blood handling. In this initial article, we describe the conceptual and technical evolution from fibrin glues to platelet concentrates. This retrospective analysis is necessary for the understanding of fibrin technologies and the evaluation of the biochemical properties of 3 generations of surgical additives, respectively fibrin adhesives, concentrated platelet-rich plasma (cPRP) and PRF. Indeed, the 3-dimensional fibrin architecture is deeply dependent on artificial clinical polymerization processes, such as massive bovine thrombin addition. Currently, the slow polymerization during PRF preparation seems to generate a fibrin network very similar to the natural one. Such a network leads to a more efficient cell migration and proliferation and thus cicatrization.

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Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF): a second-generation platelet concentrate. Part I: technological concepts and evolution.

Growth factors released from activated platelets initiate and modulate wound healing in both soft and hard tissues. A recent strategy to promote the wound-healing cascade is to prepare an autologous platelet concentrate suspended in plasma, also known as platelet-rich plasma, that contains growth factors and administer it to wound sites. The purpose of this study was to quantitate platelet number and growth factors released from a prepared platelet concentrate. Whole blood was drawn from 10 healthy patients undergoing cosmetic surgery and concentrated into platelet-rich plasma. Platelet counts on whole blood and platelet-rich plasma were determined using a Cell-Dyn 3200. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB, transforming growth factor-[beta]1, vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor-1 were measured in the platelet-rich plasma using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. In addition, platelet activation during the concentration procedure was analyzed by measuring P selectin values in blood serum. An 8-fold increase in platelet concentration was found in the platelet-rich plasma compared with that of whole blood (baseline whole blood, 197 ± 42 × 10 3

Platelet Quantification and Growth Factor Analysis from Platelet-Rich Plasma: Implications for Wound Healing

Guided bone regeneration is an accepted surgical method employed in implant dentistry to increase the quantity and quality of the host bone in areas of localized alveolar defects. The lack of predictability in osseous regenerative procedures with various grafting materials suggests that improvement in the osteoinductive properties of these materials is highly desirable. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a modification of fibrin glue made from autologous blood, is being used to deliver growth factors in high concentration to sites requiring osseous grafting. Growth factors released from the platelets include platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, platelet-derived epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived angiogenesis factor, insulin-like growth factor 1, and platelet factor 4. These factors signal the local mesenchymal and epithelial cells to migrate, divide, and increase collagen and matrix synthesis. PRP has been suggested for use to increase the rate of bone deposition and quality of bone regeneration when augmenting sites prior to or in conjunction with dental implant placement Only 6 human studies using PRP have been found in the dental implant literature and 5 were case series or reports. Thus, there is clearly a lack of scientific evidence to support the use of PRP in combination with bone grafts during augmentation procedures. This novel and potentially promising technique requires well-designed, controlled studies to provide evidence of efficacy.

David M Green

Papers

Platelet gel: An autologous alternative to fibrin glue with applications in oral and maxillofacial surgery