Short- and Long-Term Stability of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Eye Drops

Biological effects of stored platelet-rich plasma eye-drops in corneal wound healing

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and sterility of stored platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye-drops for corneal epithelial wound healing compared with those of autologous serum (AS) eye-drops.

METHODS

At our single institution, PRP and AS eye-drops were prepared using peripheral blood obtained from six healthy volunteers and stored at 4°C. Platelet and leucocyte counts and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and fibronectin levels were assessed during storage for up to 4 weeks. Sterility was assessed by culturing 4-week poststorage samples. PRP, AS, and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) eye-drop efficacies were compared using corneal epithelial wound healing assays in vitro and in vivo and monitoring wound areas under a microscope every 3 hours.

RESULTS

Higher platelet and lower leucocyte counts were seen in PRP than in whole blood on the day of preparation. After storage, TGF-β1, EGF, and fibronectin levels were significantly higher in PRP than in AS eye-drops. In vitro and in vivo, PRP eye-drops used on the day of preparation significantly promoted corneal epithelial wound healing compared with PBS. Moreover, PRP eye-drops stored for 4 weeks significantly promoted corneal wound healing compared with PBS and AS eye-drops.

CONCLUSION

PRP eye-drops stored at 4°C for 4 weeks promoted corneal epithelial wound healing with higher levels of growth factors than those observed in AS eye-drops, while maintaining sterility, suggesting that this preparation satisfies the unmet medical needs in the treatment of refractory keratoconjunctival epithelial disorders.

PRGF Membrane with Tailored Optical Properties Preserves the Cytoprotective Effect of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors: In Vitro Model of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

The present study evaluates the ability of a novel plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) membrane with improved optical properties to reduce oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19 cells) exposed to blue light. PRGF was obtained from three healthy donors and divided into four main groups: (i) PRGF membrane (M-PRGF), (ii) PRGF supernatant (S-PRGF), (iii) platelet-poor plasma (PPP) membrane diluted 50% with S-PRGF (M-PPP 50%), and (iv) M-PPP 50% supernatant (S-PPP 50%). ARPE-19 cells were exposed to blue light and then incubated with the different PRGF-derived formulations or control for 24 and 48 h under blue light exposure. Mitochondrial and cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and ZO-1 expression were evaluated. Mitochondrial viability and cell survival were significantly increased after treatment with the different PRGF-derived formulations. ROS synthesis and HO-1 expression were significantly reduced after cell treatment with any of the PRGF-derived formulations. Furthermore, the different PRGF-derived formulations significantly increased ZO-1 expression in ARPE-19 exposed to blue light. The new PRGF membrane with improved optical properties and its supernatant (M-PPP 50% and S-PPP 50%) protected and reversed blue light-induced oxidative stress in ARPE-19 cells at levels like those of a natural PRGF membrane and its supernatant.

The Comparison between the Composition of 100% Autologous Serum and 100% Platelet-Rich Plasma Eye Drops and Their Impact on the Treatment Effectiveness of Dry Eye Disease in Primary Sjogren Syndrome

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to compare the difference in composition between 100% autologous serum (AS) and 100% platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops and assess their impact on the clinical outcomes after the treatment of severe dry eye (DE) in primary Sjogren Syndrome patients (pSS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is an interventional, non-randomized, comparative, three-month study. 22 patients with severe DE in pSS were treated with 100% AS (22 eyes) and 100% PRP (22 eyes) eye drops 5 times per day in monotherapy mode. The quantifications of growth factors (GFs) such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), transforming growth factor (TGF-b), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), fibronectin, and substance p in hemoderivates were done. The main outcome measures were: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), the Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival staining according to the Oxford scale, conjunctival hyperaemia, and Meibomian gland parameters. The results were compared at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months following the treatment. The clinical results were correlated with the concentration of GFs in the biological tear substitutes.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed in the concentration of FGF (4.42 ± 0.86 vs. 15.96 ± 7.63, p < 0.0001), EGF (4.98 ± 0.97 vs. 39.06 ± 20.18, p < 0.0001), fibronectin (929.6 ± 111.5 vs. 823.64 ± 98.49, p = 0.0005), VEGF (175.45 ± 65.93 vs. 717.35 ± 488.15, p < 0.0001), PDGF AB (619.6 ± 117.30 vs. 349.66 ± 79.82, p < 0.0001), NGF (85.22 ± 23.49 vs. 8.29 ± 9.06, p < 0.0001), PDGF (935.38 ± 434.26 vs. 126.66 ± 54.41, p < 0.0001), substance p (112.58 ± 27.28 vs. 127.51 ± 26.56, p = 0.0125) in PRP compared to AS. The level of TGF-β was undoubtedly higher in AS than in PRP (1031.37 ± 330.23 vs. 726.03 ± 298.95, p = 0.0004). No significant differences between AS and PRP were observed in the concentration of IGF. Therapy with blood products relieved the signs and symptoms in pSS DE patients. There was a statistically significant improvement in BCVA, the Schirmer test, TBUT, Meibomian gland parameters, and the reduction of the OSDI scores, Oxford staining, and conjunctiva hyperaemia in each of the groups. However, the clinical changes were more significant in the PRP group. There were numerous correlations between the level of GFs and the mean change in clinical outcomes. No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the fact that blood derivatives differ in composition, they seem to be effective and safe in the treatment of severe DE in pSS patients. The signs and symptoms of DE were reduced in both groups, but only the mean change in OSDI was statistically significant. A greater reduction in OSDI scores was observed in the PRP group. The obtained results and the composition of haemoderivates may indicate the superiority of PRP in relieving the symptoms of DE in pSS patients compared to AS.

Differential Protein Content between Fresh and Freeze-Dried Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Eye Drops

The purpose of this study was to analyze the proteomic composition of plasma rich in growth factors eye drops (PRGF) in comparison to lyophilized PRGF eye drops (PRGF lyo). The differential protein expression of keratocyte (HK) cells after PRGF or PRGF lyo treatment was also determined. Blood from different donors was collected and processed to obtain PRGF and PRGF lyo eye drops. Then, HK cells were treated with both formulations. A proteomic analysis was performed to evaluate the differential proteomic profile between PRGF and PRGF lyo, and the differential protein expression by HK cells after treatment with both blood-derived products. About 280 proteins were detected between both blood-derived formulation, with only 8 of them reaching significant differences. Furthermore, 101 out of 3213 proteins showed statistically significant deregulation in HK cells after treatment with PRGF or PRGF lyo. Gene Ontology analysis showed that these significant deregulated proteins were involved in 30 functional processes. However, the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis showed that no significant differences were found in any of the identified processes. In summary, the present study show that no significant differences were found in the proteomic profile or in the signaling pathways activation in HK cells between PRGF and PRGF lyo.

Membrane of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors in Primary Pterygium Surgery Compared to Amniotic Membrane Transplantation and Conjunctival Autograft

This prospective and comparative study aimed to compare the use of a conjunctival autograft (CAG), plasma rich in growth factors fibrin membrane (mPRGF) or amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in primary pterygium surgery. Patients were assigned for surgery with CAG (group A), mPRGF (group B), or AMT (group C). Pterygium recurrence, Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), graft size (measured with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT)), and ocular surface symptoms (visual analogue scale (VAS) and ocular surface disease index (OSDI)) were evaluated. Thirteen eyes in group A, 26 in group B, and 10 in group C were evaluated. No changes in BCVA (p > 0.05) were found. Recurrence cases for groups A, B, and C were none, two, and two, respectively, and three cases of pyogenic granulomas in group A. The horizontal/vertical graft size was lower in group B vs group A (p < 0.05) from months 1 to 12. The improvement in VAS frequency for groups A, B, and C was: 35.5%, 86.2%, and 39.1%, respectively. The OSDI scale reduction for groups A, B, and C was: 12.7%, 39.0%, and 84.1%. The use of the three surgical techniques as a graft for primary pterygium surgery was safe and effective, showing similar results. The mPRGF graft represents an autologous novel approach for pterygium surgery.

Combined therapy of ocular surface disease with plasma rich in growth factors and scleral contact lenses

PURPOSE

To review safety and efficacy of combined plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) eye drops and scleral contact lens (SCL) therapy in patients with ocular surface disease.

METHODS

Patients with ocular surface disease of various etiologies were screened for at least 3 months of concurrent treatment with PRGF and SCL. Retrospective pre- and post-treatment measurements were collected, including patient satisfaction, severity and frequency of dry eye symptoms measured by a modified Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) questionnaire, visual acuity, and number of concurrent treatments.

RESULTS

26 patients with ocular surface disease were included in the study with 20 patients answering the questionnaire (77% response rate). There were no adverse events reported. Most patients thought the combined therapy was better than previous treatments and would recommend to others (80%, 90% respectively). SANDE scores significantly decreased after use of concurrent therapy. There was a small but significant decrease in the number of other concurrent treatments. Visual acuity was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective cohort study found PRGF used in combination with SCL is safe and significantly decreases symptoms in patients with recalcitrant ocular surface disease.

Progress in the use of plasma rich in growth factors in ophthalmology: from ocular surface to ocular fundus

Introduction: The use of blood derivatives and especially Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), for regenerative purposes has been a common trend along the last decades in the field of oral surgery, dermatology, orthopedics, and more recently in ophthalmology.Areas covered: PRGF is a type of platelet-rich plasma that is being explored for the treatment of ocular injuries. The present review article highlights 50 ophthalmology-related publications about the application of PRGF in the treatment of acute and chronic pathologies in ophthalmology as well as most relevant challenges and future prospects.Expert opinion: PRGF technology provides a wide range of formulations that can be used therapeutically in many different acute and chronic ocular pathologies. In addition to eye drops enriched with autologous growth factors, PRGF enables the preparation of both immunologically safe and fibrin-based formulations. Recent advances in the field have promoted PRGF storage for 12 months under freezing conditions, its daily use for 7 days at room temperature and the freeze-dried formulation. The thermally treated immunosafe formulation has shown promising clinical results for the treatment of several diseases such as Sjögren syndrome, graft versus host disease or cicatrizing conjunctivitis. In addition, several fibrin formulations have been preclinically evaluated and clinically incorporated as an adjuvant to ocular surface or glaucoma surgeries, dermal fat graft procedures, limbal stem cell expansion and retinal surgeries. The present review explores the latest scientific and clinical data, current challenges, and main prospects of this technology for the treatment of several ocular injuries.

Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) in Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy (TPRK)

To evaluate the usage of plasma rich in growth factor (PRGF) in transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TPRK) in low and moderate myopia, patients who underwent myopic and astigmatism TPRK with PRGF were involved in this retrospective, observational study. Subjects underwent a surgical procedure between February 2019 and June 2019. A three-month follow-up was recorded. Pain score was assessed with a visual analogue scale (0–10) and re-epithelialization time recorded. A total of 48 eyes from 24 patients were recruited. Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/20.31 (0.00 ± 0.02 LogMAR). A total of 98% of eyes did not change corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) lines. Two percent of eyes lost one line of CDVA. Preoperative spherical equivalent was −2.67 ± 1.37 D and after three months changed to −0.21 ± 0.34 D, and 2% of eyes changed 0.50 D or more between one and three months. Pain score was 3.29 ± 0.61 (3 to 6) score points at day one and 0.08 ± 0.27 score points at day seven. Finally, re-epithelialization time was 2.50 ± 1.20 days. PRGF addition to conventional refractive treatment such as TPRK seems to alleviate immediate postoperative pain and positively contribute to corneal re-epithelization time.