title: Platelets display potent antimicrobial activity and release human beta-defensin 2.
abstract: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a potent agent that improves soft tissue and bone healing. By the release of growth factors and cytokines, PRP is believed to locally boost physiologic healing processes. Recently, antimicrobial activity of PRP has been demonstrated against S. aureus strains. Major scientific effort is being put into the understanding and prevention of infections i.e. by delivery of antimicrobial substances. In previous studies we showed the ideal antibacterial activity-profile of the human beta-defensin 2 (hBD-2) for orthopaedic infections and therefore hypothesized that hBD-2 may be the effector of antimicrobial platelet action. Platelet concentrates were produced from human platelet phresis obtained from a hospital blood bank. They were screened by immunohistochemistry, Western Blot and ELISA for the human beta defensin-2. In vitro susceptibility to PRP was investigated by a standard disc diffusion test with or without pre-incubation of PRP with anti-hBD-2 antibody. SPSS statistical software was used for statistical analysis. PRP contains hBD-2 470 pg/10(9) platelets or 1786 pg/ml, respectively, (ELISA), which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot. In antimicrobial testing, PRP demonstrates effective inhibition of E. coli, B. megaterium, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis and P. mirabilis. With this study we confirm the previously reported antimicrobial action of platelet concentrates i.e. PRP. In opposition to previously reported effects against gram positive bacteria our study focuses on gram negative and less common gram positive bacteria that do frequently cause clinical complications. We provide a possible molecular mechanism at least for E. coli and P. mirabilis for this effect by the detection of an antimicrobial peptide (hBD-2). This study may advocate the clinical use of PRP by highlighting a new aspect of platelet action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Wendlingweg 2 D-52074, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Mersedeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tohidnezhad
authors.forename: Deike
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Varoga
authors.forename: Christoph Jan
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wruck
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Podschun
authors.forename: Benita Hermanns
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Sachweh
authors.forename: Jorg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bornemann
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bovi
authors.forename: Taha Tolga
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Sönmez
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slowik
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Houben
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seekamp
authors.forename: Lars Ove
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Brandenburg
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pufe
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lippross
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D023083:beta-Defensins