Comparison of corneal epitheliotrophic capacities among human platelet lysates and other blood derivatives.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the corneal epitheliotropic abilities of two commercialized human platelet lysates (HPLs) and to compare the results with other blood derivatives, including human peripheral serum (HPS) and bovine fetal serum (FBS).


METHODS
In vitro, human corneal epithelial cells were incubated in various concentrations (0%, 3%, 5% and 10%) of blood derivatives. Two commercialized HPLs, including UltraGRO TM (Helios, Atlanta, GA) and PLTMax (Mill Creek, Rochester, MI), were tested and compared with HPS and FBS. Scratch-induced directional wounding assay was performed to evaluate cellular migration. MTS assay was used to evaluate cellular proliferation. Cellular differentiation was examined by scanning electron microscopy, inverted microscopy and transepithelial electrical resistance. Sprague-Dawley rats were used to evaluate the effects of the blood derivatives on corneal epithelial wound healing in vivo. Different blood derivatives were applied topically every 2 hours for 2 days after corneal epithelial debridement. The concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor -β1 (TGF-β1), fibronectin, platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB), PDGF-BB, and hyaluronic acid in different blood derivatives were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
In vitro experiments demonstrated statistically comparable epitheliotropic characteristics in cellular proliferation, migration, and differentiation for the two commercialized HPLs compared to FBS and HPS. Cells cultured without any serum were used as control group. The epitheliotropic capacities were statistically higher in the two commercialized HPLs compared to the control group (p<0.05). Among the different concentrations of blood derivatives, the preparations with 3% yielded better outcomes compared to 5% and 10%. In rats, HPLs also caused improved but not statistically significant wound healing compared to HPS. All the blood derivatives had better wound healing ratios than the control group (p<0.05). In the quantification of epitheliotropic factors, UltraGRO and PLTMax had significantly higher levels of EGF, TGF- β1, fibronectin than human peripheral serum (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Both commercialized HPLs showed comparable corneal epitheliotropic abilities and wound healing rates compared to HPS and FBS in the in vivo and in vitro studies. Our results suggest that HPLs may have the potential to replace HPS in the treatment of corneal epithelial problems.
Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chien-Jung
CJ
Huang
Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Tzu Chi General Hospital, The Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Yi-Chen
YC
Sun
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
Karen
K
Christopher
Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Amy Shih-I
AS
Pai
Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chia-Ju
CJ
Lu
Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.|Center of Corneal Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Biology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Fung-Rong
FR
Hu
Department of Ophthalmology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Szu-Yuan
SY
Lin
Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.|Center of Corneal Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Biology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wei-Li
WL
Chen
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000077214:Becaplermin; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002457:Cell Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis / Q000032:analysis; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000032:analysis; D014945:Wound Healing
D002457:Cell Extracts; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C095477:platelet-derived growth factor AB; D000077214:Becaplermin