Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Cell Adhesion, Cell Migration, and Myofibroblastic Differentiation in Human

Background: Platelet-rich plasma is a blood-derived frac-tion that contains a high concentration of platelets and growth factors. It was proposed that the use of this platelet concen-trate stimulates tissue repair. However, little is known about the biologic response of gingival fibroblasts to platelet’s de-rived growth factors. In the present study, we evaluated whether platelet-rich plasma modulated cell adhesion, cell mi-gration, and myofibroblastic differentiation in primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts. Methods: We studied the response of primary cultures of gingival fibroblasts to thrombin-activated platelet-rich plasma fractions. Cell adhesion was evaluated through a colorimetric assay. Cell spreading, actin cytoskeleton remodeling, and fo-cal adhesion distribution were assessed through light and im-munofluorescence microscopy. Cell migration was analyzed using a bicameral cell culture system. Smooth muscle actin production was studied through Western blotting. Results: Exposure of gingival fibroblasts to platelet-rich plasma stimulated adhesion and spreading of cells on fibro-nectin matrices, the development of actin-enriched cellular extensions, and formation of focal adhesions. Platelet-rich plasma also promoted cell migration and invasion through a reconstituted basement membrane matrix. Differentiation into the myofibroblastic phenotype, assessed through the pro-duction of smooth muscle actin, was also stimulated by plate-let-rich plasma preparations. Conclusion: Platelet-rich plasma may modulate several cell responses potentially involved in wound healing such as cell adhesion, cell migration, and myofibroblastic differentiation