Abstract
Purpose
The combination of scaffolds and biological factors may enhance articular cartilage repair. Little is known regarding the activation and subsequent growth factor release of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in contact with biosynthetic scaffolds. The purpose of this study was i) to identify whether the addition of thrombin was required to activate PRP in the presence of a collagen osteochondral scaffold and ii) to compare the activity of PRP when applied to both collagen- and polylactide-based osteochondral scaffolds.
Methods
Equal combined volumes of test substances were used (n = 3): 500 μl PRP alone or on scaffolds; 375 μl PRP + 125 μl autologous thrombin on scaffolds; 455 μl PRP + 45 μl bovine thrombin on scaffolds. Scaffolds and/or PRP were cultured in vitro in DMEM/F12 medium for 10 days. TGF-β1, PDGF-AB and bFGF were measured using ELISA.
Results
A similar cumulative release profile in all growth factors was found over the 10-day period i.e. a burst release and further physiological prolonged release. A significantly higher release of PDGF-AB was seen in the PRP + collagen scaffold groups at all time points, compared to scaffold + PRP + thrombins (P < 0.001). A significantly increased cumulative volume of PDGF-AB was released from the collagen scaffold compared to the polylactide scaffold (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
This study shows that polylactide and particularly collagen osteochondral scaffolds activate PRP in vitro. If PRP is combined with these scaffolds clinically, no exogenous activation with thrombin is required to achieve growth factor release, which may be of benefit for articular cartilage repair applications.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge grant funding support from the UK Technology Strategy Board in collaboration with Tigenix Ltd, formerly Orthomimetics Ltd, Cambridge, UK.
Conflict of interest
This work was supported by the UK Technology Strategy Board in collaboration with Tigenix Ltd, formerly Orthomimetics Ltd. Two of the authors (AG, NR) receive consultancy fees from Tigenix Ltd. LF receives institutional support from Harvest Technologies Ltd.
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Getgood, A., Henson, F., Brooks, R. et al. Platelet-rich plasma activation in combination with biphasic osteochondral scaffolds–conditions for maximal growth factor production. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 19, 1942–1947 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1456-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1456-6