Characteristics of Platelet Lysate Compared to Autologous and Allogeneic Serum Eye Drops

PURPOSE: Platelet lysate produced from platelet apheresis components has been proposed as an alternative to serum eye drops in the treatment of ocular surface disease. This study compared the effects of platelet lysate and serum on growth factor, cytokine and nanoparticle concentrations, and corneal epithelial cell proliferation. METHODS: The concentration of growth factors, cytokines, and nanoparticles in platelet lysates manufactured from either fresh or expired platelet apheresis concentrations collected with Trima or Haemonetics technology was characterized and compared with those of allogeneic, autologous, and fetal calf serum. The ability to promote corneal epithelial cell proliferation and wound healing was tested in vitro. RESULTS: Platelet lysate enriched the amount of transforming growth factor β1, platelet-derived growth factor –AB and –BB, fibroblast growth factor, and epidermal growth factor compared with the two sera groups. The concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1, hepatocyte growth factor, and fibronectin were significantly lower than in sera. There were no differences in nanoparticle concentrations. There was no significant difference in corneal epithelial cell proliferation. Platelet lysates were comparable to fetal calf serum in accelerating corneal epithelial wound healing in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Fresh and expired platelet lysates from the Trima and Haemonetics systems had higher growth factor concentrations than sera. The ability of platelet lysates to promote corneal epithelial cell proliferation and wound healing was equivalent to sera. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Platelet lysates may serve as an efficient and reliable source of human growth factors for the treatment of ocular surface diseases.