Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (13): 2793-2801.doi: 10.12307/2025.058

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Cellular and molecular mechanisms of platelet-rich plasma in promoting wound healing

Long Chenyan1, 2, Cheng Biao3, Tian Ju2   

  1. 1First Clinical Medical College of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, Guangdong Province, China; 2Department of Burns, Plastic Surgery, and Aesthetic Medicine, People’s Hospital of Zhongshan City, Guangdong Medical University, Zhongshan 528400, Guangdong Province, China; 3Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou 510030, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2024-01-26 Accepted:2024-04-14 Online:2025-05-08 Published:2024-09-12
  • Contact: Tian Ju, PhD, Master’s supervisor, Chief physician, Department of Burns, Plastic Surgery, and Aesthetic Medicine, People’s Hospital of Zhongshan City, Guangdong Medical University, Zhongshan 528400, Guangdong Province, China; Co-corresponding author: Cheng Biao, PhD, Doctoral supervisor, Chief physician, Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou 510030, Guangdong Province, China
  • About author:Long Chenyan, Master candidate, Physician, First Clinical Medical College of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, Guangdong Province, China; Department of Burns, Plastic Surgery, and Aesthetic Medicine, People’s Hospital of Zhongshan City, Guangdong Medical University, Zhongshan 528400, Guangdong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program), No. 82172223, 82372531 (to CB); Scientific Research Project of Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 20241357 (to TJ)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although platelet-rich plasma has shown potential in promoting wound healing, further research and validation are still needed for its clinical application. Additionally, there are still some controversies and uncertainties regarding the action mechanisms of platelet-rich plasma.
OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview and analysis of the mechanisms of platelet-rich plasma in promoting wound healing, in order to enhance understanding of this treatment method and provide useful guidance for future basic research and clinical applications.
METHODS: Relevant literature published from January 2000 to December 2023 was retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed databases. The English and Chinese search terms included “platelet rich plasma, PRP, wound, wound healing, refractory wounds, chronic wounds, cellular and molecular mechanisms, signaling pathways, regenerative medicine.” A total of 80 articles were reviewed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Platelet-rich plasma has many potential advantages in wound healing as it can provide abundant bioactive substances such as growth factors and cytokines. (2) Platelet-rich plasma regulates the function of various cell types involved in wound healing, including epidermal cells, vascular endothelial cells, fibroblasts, stem cells, and inflammatory cells. (3) In platelet-rich plasma therapy, extracellular vesicles and mitochondria may play important roles in wound healing. (4) Platelet-rich plasma hydrogels can be widely used to enhance tissue regeneration and serve as functional carriers for drug delivery. (5) Platelet-rich plasma regulates the synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix, affecting matrix remodeling during the wound healing process. (6) Platelet-rich plasma may influence tissue repair and regeneration by dynamically regulating multiple signaling pathways and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, providing a new perspective for research in this field.

Key words: platelet-rich plasma, growth factor, wound healing, cellular and molecular mechanisms, signaling pathway, regenerative medicine

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