Platelet-Derived Factors in Wound Healing Mechanisms
Summary
Platelets contribute to wound repair beyond their classic role in arresting bleeding. Upon activation at the injury site, they release a complex cocktail of growth factors, cytokines and chemokines from intracellular granules. These mediators orchestrate early haemostasis, limit excessive inflammation and promote subsequent phases of tissue regeneration. Platelet‐derived growth factors such as PDGF, TGF-β and VEGF drive fibroblast proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition and neovascularisation, while angiostatic chemokines help regulate vessel formation. Simultaneously, immune‐modulating factors recruit and polarise neutrophils and macrophages to clear debris and pathogens, then shift towards a pro-regenerative phenotype. In the remodelling phase, platelet constituents influence collagen turnover and re‐epithelialisation by stimulating keratinocyte migration. Clinically, concentrated platelet preparations—including platelet-rich plasma and platelet lysate—have been formulated to leverage these bioactive factors. Advances in biomaterial design now combine platelet derivatives with polymer scaffolds to achieve sustained release. Together, these insights underscore the multi-factorial nature of platelet contributions and their translation into innovative therapeutic approaches for both acute and chronic wounds.
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Platelet-Derived Factors in Wound Healing Mechanisms publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in platelet-derived factors in wound healing mechanisms across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): A plasma fraction with elevated platelet concentration, used as a source of endogenous growth factors.
Platelet lysate (PL): A cell-free preparation obtained by disrupting platelets to release intracellular bioactive molecules.
Growth factor: A protein that stimulates cell proliferation, migration or differentiation during tissue repair.
Cytokine: A secreted signalling molecule that regulates immune cell recruitment and activation.
Angiogenesis: The formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature to supply healing tissue.
Lymphangiogenesis: The development of new lymphatic vessels, important for fluid balance and immune cell trafficking in wounds.
Re-epithelialisation: The process by which keratinocytes migrate to restore the epithelial barrier over a wound.
Haemostasis: The initial phase of wound healing involving blood clot formation and vessel constriction.
Biomaterial scaffold: A synthetic or natural structure designed to support cell attachment and controlled release of therapeutics.
References
- Effects of Platelet Lysate Gels Derived from Different Blood Sources on Oral Mucosal Wound Healing: An In Vitro Study. Gels (2023).
- In Vitro Comparison of Lymphangiogenic Potential of Hypoxia Preconditioned Serum (HPS) and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
- A novel bifunctional multilayered nanofibrous membrane combining polycaprolactone and poly (vinyl alcohol) enriched with platelet lysate for skin wound healing. Nanoscale (2024).
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