Cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor profile of platelet-rich plasma

TLDR

Wound healing involves platelet‑derived bioactive molecules, yet their simultaneous quantification in PRP is rare and existing studies show inconsistent results, highlighting the need for further research. The study aimed to quantify a broad panel of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in PRP from 16 healthy volunteers to identify baseline differences. The authors used a flexible Bio‑Plex multiplex immunoassay to measure cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor levels in PRP samples. The assay detected 27 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors—including IL‑2, IL‑5, IL‑7, IL‑9, IL‑10, IL‑15, G‑CSF, GM‑CSF, Eotaxin, IP‑10.

Abstract

During wound healing, biologically active molecules are released from platelets. The rationale of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) relies on the concentration of bioactive molecules and subsequent delivery to healing sites. These bioactive molecules have been seldom simultaneously quantified within the same PRP preparation. In the present study, the flexible Bio-Plex system was employed to assess the concentration of a large range of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in 16 healthy volunteers so as to determine whether significant baseline differences may be found. Besides IL-1b, IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, INF-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1, MIP-1a, RANTES, bFGF, PDGF, and VEGF that were already quantified elsewhere, the authors reported also on the presence of IL-2, IL-5, IL-7, IL-9, IL-10, IL-15 G-CSF, GM-CSF, Eotaxin, CXCL10 chemokine (IP-10), and MIP 1b. Among the most interesting results, it is convenient to mention the high concentrations of the HIV-suppressive and inflammatory cytokine RANTES and a statistically significant difference between males and females in the content of PDGF-BB. These data are consistent with previous reports pointing out that gender, diet, and test system affect the results of platelet function in healthy subjects, but seem contradictory when compared to other quantification assays in serum and plasma. The inconsistencies affecting the experimental results found in literature, along with the variability found in the content of bioactive molecules, urge further research, hopefully in form of randomized controlled clinical trials, in order to find definitive evidence of the efficacy of PRP treatment in various pathologic and regenerative conditions.