Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Stimulates the Extracellular Matrix Metabolism of Porcine Nucleus Pulposus and Anulus Fibrosus Cells Cultured in Alginate Beads

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma was effective in stimulating cell proliferation and extracellular matrix metabolism. The response to platelet-rich plasma was greater in the case of anulus fibrosus cells than of nucleuspulposus cells. The local administration of platelet-rich plasma might stimulate intervertebral disc repair. In addition, given the risks of using animal serum for tissue engineering, autologous blood may gain favor as a source of growth factors and serum supplements needed for stimulating cells to engineer intervertebral disc tissues.