Platelet rich fibrin as a bioactive matrix with proosteogenic and proangiogenic properties on human healthy primary cells in vitro

Abstract

Blood concentrates like platelet rich fibrin (PRF) have been established as a potential autologous source of cells and growth factors with regenerative properties in the field of dentistry and regenerative medicine. To further analyze the effect of PRF on bone tissue regeneration, this study investigated the influence of liquid PRF matrices on human healthy primary osteoblasts (pOB) and co-cultures composed of pOB and human dermal vascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) as in vitro model for bone tissue regeneration. Special attention was paid to the PRF mediated influence on osteoblastic differentiation and angiogenesis. Based on the low-speed centrifugation concept, cells were treated indirectly with PRF prepared with a low (44 g) and high relative centrifugal force (710 g) before the PRF mediated effect on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation was assessed via gene and protein expression analyses and immunofluorescence. The results revealed a PRF-mediated positive effect on osteogenic proliferation and differentiation accompanied by increased concentration of osteogenic growth factors and upregulated expression of osteogenic differentiation factors. Furthermore, it could be shown that PRF treatment resulted in an increased formation of angiogenic structures in a bone tissue mimic co-culture of endothelial cells and osteoblasts induced by the PRF mediated increased release of proangiogenic growth factors. The effects on osteogenic proliferation, differentiation and vascularization were more evident when low RCF PRF was applied to the cells. In conclusion, PRF possess proosteogenic, potentially osteoconductive as well as proangiogenic properties, making it a beneficial tool for bone tissue regeneration.