title: Epitheliotrophic capacity of a growth factor preparation produced from platelet concentrates on corneal epithelial cells: a potential agent for the treatment of ocular surface defects?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical application of serum eye drops has been reported to accelerate healing of persistent ocular surface defects. It is supposed that growth factors in serum support the wound healing process. Platelets (PLTs) are rich in growth factors and easily available as PLT concentrates (PCs) from blood banks. Therefore, growth factor preparations from PCs may serve as a new and superior therapeutic agent for such defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  After thrombin stimulation for growth factor release, the cell-free supernatant (PLT releasate) of washed PCs (n = 8) was analyzed for epitheliotrophic factors and its wound healing capacity in comparison to serum (n = 8). Human corneal epithelial cells were used as a model to investigate cell growth, migration, and differentiation in response to both blood products.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PLT releasate contains more epithelial growth factor, PLT-derived growth factor, and transforming growth factor-beta, but less hepatocyte growth factor, fibronectin, and vitamins. Cell growth was significantly better in response to PLT releasate. Migration and differentiation were slightly better supported by serum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Possibly owing to its high content of growth factors, PLT releasate has a distinct superior effect on cell growth. Stimulation of migration and differentiation was slightly inferior but still acceptable. PLT releasate could therefore be a novel treatment option for ocular surface defects.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany. hartwig@immu.mu-luebeck.de
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hartwig
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harloff
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schlenke
authors.forename: Thilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wedel
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geerling
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate