Analysis of the Leukocytes in peripheral blood and Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Plasma (L-PRP) in rats: A flow cytometry study

Background and objectives. Platelet concentrates for surgical use were often tested as surgical adjuvants in the literature, as a source of platelet growth factors to stimulate healing. Many products are often regrouped under the generic and inaccurate term of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). However, what is tested in many studies is usually a combination of platelets and leukocytes (accurately termed Leukocyteand Platelet-Rich Plasma – L-PRP). The quantity and impact of leukocytes in these preparations were not yet accurately investigated. In this article, the characteristics of white blood cells in a L-PRP obtained from rats were investigated, in order to point out the main actors and some of the mechanisms that may influence the properties of the platelet concentrates. Materials and Methods. Blood and platelet concentrate samples were obtained from 64 healthy Wistar rats and leukocyte phenotypes were identified using flow cytometry after labeling leukocytes for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD11bc, CD18, CD25, CD27, CD28, CD45R, CD45RA, CD80, CD90, CD106 (VCAM-1), CD161a and TCRab, TCRgd, RT1B with fluorochromeconjugated antibodies. Results. The results have shown that the tested L-PRP contained substantial amounts of leukocytes of many different kinds, particularly T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, NK cells, monocytes, granulocytes and eosinophils. Discussion and Conclusion. To highlight the various ways in which these cells can influence their environment will help to better understand the complex interactions of the PRPs with the tissues. This identification of the exact cell content and the understanding of this complex cell equation are important steps towards using these blood concentrates in the best possible way, as a reliable therapeutic option to promote better healing, particularly in infected surgical or wound sites. Keywords. Blood platelets, infection, leukocytes, platelet-rich plasma, wound healing. 118 Research article: Cieslik-­‐Bielecka A, et al. (2014) ISSN 2307-5295, Published by the POSEIDO Organization & Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International 
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