Autologous fibrin matrices: A potential source of biological mediators that modulate tendon cell activities

• Published in: Journal of biomedical materials research 2006-05, Vol.77A (2), p.285-293
• Main Authors: Anitua, Eduardo, Sanchez, Mikel, Nurden, Alan T, Zalduendo, Mar, de la Fuente, Maria, Orive, Gorka, Azofra, Juan, Andia, Isabel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Achilles Tendon - cytology; angiogenesis; Animals; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - metabolism; Blood Platelets - metabolism; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Collagen Type I - metabolism; Extracellular Matrix - chemistry; Fibrin - chemistry; Fibrin - metabolism; fibrin matrices; growth factors; Hepatocyte Growth Factor - metabolism; Humans; Materials Testing; platelets; Sheep; tendon; Transforming Growth Factor beta - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism
• ISSN: 1549-3296; 0021-9304; 1552-4965; 1097-4636
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.30585

The use of autologous fibrin matrices has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for the local and physiological delivery of growth factors in the treatment of several clinical conditions requiring tendon healing or tendon graft remodelling. In the present work, we investigated the proliferation, synthesis of type‐I collagen and angiogenic factors by tendon cells seeded on platelet‐rich (PR) and platelet‐poor (PP) matrices. Furthermore, in vivo cellular and vascular effects of each treatment were examined after infiltration in Achilles tendon in sheep. Results showed that the presence of platelets within the fibrin matrices increased significantly the proliferation of tendon cells. Additionally, cultured tendon cells synthesised type I collagen and angiogenic factors such as VEGF and HGF. The synthesis of VEGF, but not of HGF, was significantly higher when platelets were present within the matrix. In the sheep model, the injection of pre‐clotted plasma within tendons increased cellular density and promoted neovascularization. These results indicate that administration of fibrin matrices is a safe and easy strategy that may open new avenues for enhancing tissue healing and remodelling and influences the process of regeneration in clinical situations characterised by a poor healing outcome. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006