Investigating the Biological Efficacy of Albumin-Enriched Platelet-Rich Fibrin (Alb-PRF): A Study on Cytokine Dynamics and Osteoblast Behavior

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Oct 27;25(21):11531. doi: 10.3390/ijms252111531.

Abstract

The development of effective biomaterials for tissue regeneration has led to the exploration of blood derivatives such as leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF). A novel variant, Albumin-Enriched Platelet-Rich Fibrin (Alb-PRF), has been introduced to improve structural stability and bioactivity, making it a promising candidate for bone regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate Alb-PRF's capacity for cytokine and growth factor release, along with its effects on the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of human osteoblasts in vitro. Alb-PRF membranes were analyzed using histological, scanning electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy techniques. Cytokine and growth factor release was quantified over seven days, and osteoinductive potential was evaluated with MG-63 osteoblast-like cells. Structural analysis showed Alb-PRF as a biphasic, highly cellularized material that releases lower levels of inflammatory cytokines and higher concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compared to L-PRF. Alb-PRF exhibited higher early alkaline phosphatase activity and in vitro mineralization (p < 0.05) and significantly increased the OPG/RANKL mRNA ratio (p < 0.05). These results indicate that Alb-PRF has promising potential as a scaffold for bone repair, warranting further in vivo and clinical assessments to confirm its suitability for clinical applications.

Keywords: L-PRF; PRF; albumin; bone; growth factors; osteoblasts.

MeSH terms

  • Albumins / metabolism
  • Bone Regeneration / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation* / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cytokines* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Osteoblasts* / drug effects
  • Osteoblasts* / metabolism
  • Osteogenesis / drug effects
  • Osteoprotegerin / metabolism
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Platelet-Rich Fibrin* / metabolism
  • RANK Ligand / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • RANK Ligand
  • Albumins
  • Osteoprotegerin
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • TNFRSF11B protein, human