Effect of autologous and allogenic platelet-rich plasma on human gingival fibroblast function

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been proposed as a method of delivering growth factors to enhance regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of autogenous and allogenic PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) on migration and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. METHODS: Various concentrations of PRP, as well as PPP, were prepared from autologous and allogenic sources and applied to primary gingival fibroblasts. Migration was determined by assessing the fibroblast response to a concentration gradient. 3H-thymidine incorporation and crystal violet colorimetric assays were utilized to assess DNA synthesis and proliferation. RESULTS: Platelet-rich plasma provides a significant migratory stimulus to gingival fibroblasts. Furthermore, the various concentrations of PRP (50%, 20% and 10%) do not promote DNA synthesis in the short term (24 h), but over the longer term (5 days) they stimulate an increase in cell proliferation. Compared with PPP, PRP was superior in terms of encouraging migration, but was inferior in terms of promoting DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. No difference was noted between the autologous and allogenic PRP preparations on cell function. CONCLUSION: Both PPP and PRP promote gingival fibroblast migration and proliferation in vitro, without differences between preparations obtained from autologous and allogenic sources.