Effects of L‐PRF and A‐PRF+ on periodontal fibroblasts in in vitro wound healing experiments

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether leukocyte‐platelet‐rich fibrin (L‐PRF) and advanced platelet‐rich fibrin (A‐PRF+) differ in their in vitro capacity to induce proliferation and migration of periodontal fibroblasts. BACKGROUND: L‐PRF and A‐PRF + are autologous materials used in periodontal regenerative surgery. They derive from blood from patients, but have different characteristics. The literature is controversial regarding the effects of the two PRF preparations on periodontal tissue fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: L‐PRF and A‐PRF + membranes were prepared from eight patients and incubated in 3 mL of culture medium for 2 days. Gingival fibroblasts (G‐F) and periodontal ligament fibroblast (PDL‐F) primary cells were retrieved from 7 donors. These cells were pre‐cultured for 1 day in wound healing experiment plates leaving a gap of 500 ± 50 µm in a concentration of 3.3 x 10(5) cells/mL. 70 µL of the cell suspension was placed in each half of the well. Thereafter, the pre‐cultured L‐PRF and A‐PRF + supernatants were added to the experimental plates, and the fibroblasts were incubated for another 24 h. Medium alone (NEG) and fibroblast growth factor II (FGF) were used as controls. Subsequently, cell migration was registered for 24 h with live cell imaging in a time frame microscope at 5% CO(2) in air at 37°C. Images were analyzed using ImageJ. Cell proliferation and cell viability were measured. RESULTS: L‐PRF and A‐PRF + induced higher cell proliferation than FGF and NEG. Both A‐PRF + and L‐PRF induced significant faster artificial wound closure than controls. Both PRF conditioned media induced faster cell migration in the initial phase (P < .01), but in the stoppage phase, the induced migration was higher for the A‐PRF+, compared with L‐PRF (P < .01). CONCLUSION: L‐PRF and A‐PRF + have a stimulatory effect on migration and proliferation of periodontal fibroblasts, and artificial wound closure was longer sustained by A‐PRF + than L‐PRF.