Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (13): 2802-2811.doi: 10.12307/2025.099

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Platelet-rich plasma intervenes in chondrocyte autophagy and apoptosis for treatment of osteoarthritis

Wang Yaomin1, 2, Zhang Kefan1, 2, Wang Dening1, Ren Qiang1, Li Jian1, Shi Hui1   

  1. 1Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256600, Shandong Province, China; 2Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 264003, Shandong Province, China
  • Received:2024-03-30 Accepted:2024-05-27 Online:2025-05-08 Published:2024-09-12
  • Contact: Shi Hui, MD, Chief physician, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256600, Shandong Province, China
  • About author:Wang Yaomin, Master candidate, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256600, Shandong Province, China; Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 264003, Shandong Province, China. Zhang Kefan, Master candidate, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256600, Shandong Province, China; Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 264003, Shandong Province, China. Wang Yaomin and Zhang Kefan contributed equally to this article.
  • Supported by:
    Shandong Provincial Clinical Key Specialized Discipline Construction Project, No. SLCZDZK-0302 (to SH); Binzhou Medical University Xu Rongxiang Regenerative Medicine Development Plan Project, No. BY2019XRX04 (to RQ); Shandong Province Medical and Health Technology Development Plan, No. 2017WS040 (to RQ); Shandong Province Medical and Health Technology Project, No. 202304070630 (to LJ)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In the process of intervening in the development of osteoarthritis, platelet-rich plasma plays an important role by intervening in autophagy, apoptotic cytokines and signal transduction pathways. 
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the structure of cytokines and signaling pathways involved in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis by platelet-rich plasma in recent years, as well as its correlation with chondrocyte apoptosis and autophagy, in order to provide effective targets for the future treatment of osteoarthritis. 
METHODS: Literature search was conducted in CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, and Medline databases using “platelet-rich plasma, chondrocyte, apoptosis, autophagy, osteoarthritis, cytokines, signaling pathway” as Chinese and English search terms. A systematic summary and induction were made for the 66 included articles.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Current research has shown that platelet-rich plasma can promote cartilage repair and assist bone tissue healing through various pathways, mainly divided into three aspects: (1) Platelet-rich plasma regulates the extension, closure, and maturation of microautophagosomes, promotes chondrocyte megaautophagy and molecular chaperone-mediated cell autophagy under specific conditions, enhances the expression of autophagy-related factors such as LC3II/I and Beclin1, inhibits the expression of P62/SQSTM1. Currently, there is no clear research directly exploring the specific effect of platelet-rich plasma on heat shock proteins, and further research is needed in this field in the future. (2) The various growth factors released by platelet-rich plasma inhibit the expression of pro-apoptotic factors Caspase, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, promote the expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2, and prevent chondrocyte apoptosis and degeneration. (3) By activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, NF-κB signal transduction pathway, death receptor pathway, mitochondrial stress pathway and other pathways, platelet-rich plasma inhibits the expression of Bax and Caspase, and prevents the release of cytochrome c, thereby inhibiting the death and necrotic apoptosis of chondrocytes. In general, platelet-rich plasma promotes cartilage repair, supports cartilage regeneration, and plays an anti-inflammatory role, and its biological effect in chondrocytes usually depends on the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis-related cytokines and signaling pathways.

Key words: platelet-rich plasma, chondrocyte, apoptosis, autophagy, osteoarthritis, cytokine, signaling pathway

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