Controlled delivery of platelet-rich plasma-derived growth factors for bone formation.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) represents an autologous source of growth factors essential for bone regeneration. The clinical efficacy of PRP is, however, unpredictable, and this is likely due to the inefficient and inconsistent delivery of PRP-derived growth factors. Previous investigations have shown that current methods of PRP preparation result in a premature release of the relevant bone stimulatory factors.

Controlled release of PRP-derived growth factors promotes osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been gaining increasing popularity in orthopedics and oral and maxillofacial surgery because of its potential efficacy in enhancing bone regeneration. To maximally augment bone healing using PRP and to control the bioavailability of the relevant growth factors, we have designed an alginate hydrogel-based PRP-delivery system. The bioactivity of the growth factors released from PRP carriers was evaluated by determining the ability of these factors to induce osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs).