Platelet-Rich Plasma Applications in Cartilage Regeneration

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a versatile, autologous biologic for promoting repair and regeneration of articular cartilage. Enriched in growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-β and insulin-like growth factor-1, PRP modulates inflammation, stimulates resident progenitor cells and enhances matrix synthesis. In preclinical models, intra-articular PRP injections have been shown to attenuate catabolic enzyme activity, preserve chondrocyte phenotype and support extracellular matrix deposition. Combinatorial approaches that integrate PRP with three-dimensional scaffolds or that target both the joint space and subchondral bone have further extended its therapeutic potential. Clinically, PRP has been applied in early to moderate osteoarthritis and focal cartilage defects, demonstrating improvements in pain, function and imaging biomarkers. Ongoing challenges include standardising preparation protocols, optimising dosing and elucidating mechanisms of action within the joint microenvironment.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that blending silk fibroin with spider-derived spidroin to produce a porous scaffold, when supplemented with PRP, markedly enhances chondrogenic differentiation of Wharton’s Jelly mesenchymal stem cells. The composite scaffold exhibited improved compressive strength, greater cell attachment via integrin β1 and RGD motifs, and on PRP supplementation supported robust extracellular matrix formation with abundant collagen type II. This approach highlights the synergy between biomaterial design and PRP-mediated growth factor delivery in directing stem cells towards a chondrogenic lineage.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Applications in Cartilage Regeneration publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in platelet-rich plasma applications in cartilage regeneration across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): An autologous blood derivative concentrated in platelets and growth factors, used to promote tissue healing.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs): Multipotent progenitor cells capable of differentiating into cartilage, bone and other mesenchymal tissues.

Chondrogenesis: The process by which progenitor cells differentiate into chondrocytes and synthesise cartilage extracellular matrix.

Scaffold: A three-dimensional biomaterial framework that supports cell attachment, proliferation and tissue formation.

Intra-Articular Injection: Delivery of a therapeutic agent directly into the joint cavity.

Intraosseous Injection: Administration of a substance into the subchondral bone marrow space to engage resident progenitor cells.

References

1. Combination of Intra‐Articular and Intraosseous Injections of Platelet Rich Plasma for Severe Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study. BioMed Research International (2016).
2. In vitro study of cartilage tissue engineering using human adipose-derived stem cells induced by platelet-rich plasma and cultured on silk fibroin scaffold. Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2019).
3. Modulation of Synovial Fluid‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Intra‐Articular and Intraosseous Platelet Rich Plasma Administration. Stem Cells International (2016).
4. Chondrogenic differentiation of Wharton’s Jelly mesenchymal stem cells on silk spidroin-fibroin mix scaffold supplemented with L-ascorbic acid and platelet rich plasma. Scientific Reports (2020).