Characterization of a Scaffold Composed of Platelet-rich Plasma for Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

INTRODUCTION: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) belongs to one plasma division isolated by centrifugation of whole blood. From 1981 to 1991, a number of different growth factors containing platelets were reported one after another, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-b1), transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFb2), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Since then PRP has been watched with interest as a source of autologous thrombocytic growth factors. In 1998, it was shown radiographically and histologically that both bone formation and density increased after autologous bone grafting with PRP in oral surgery. However the effects of PRP on proliferation and differentiation of various cells have not been investigated sufficiently, especially on chondrocytes. In this study we investigated the effects of PRP on proliferation and differentiation of human chondrocytes, and the clinical usefulness of auto-fibrin gel with PRP (PRP gel) as a scaffold for autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI).