Effects of platelet-rich plasma on proliferation and myofibroblastic differentiation in human dermal fibroblasts

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is plasma that is produced from autologous blood, and its usefulness in plastic surgery and dermal wound healing has garnered attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PRP and platelet-poor plasma on the proliferation and differentiation of skin fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and on wound contraction using Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and collagen gels containing an embedded fibroblast model. PRP promotes proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts. PRP addition enhanced the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin protein, a myofibroblast marker, as shown by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. PRP-treated groups demonstrated more marked contraction in the collagen gel model than the platelet-poor plasma and vehicle groups. PRP promotes proliferation, causes the differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and promotes wound contraction, thus providing a potential therapeutic agent for skin wound healing.