Platelet preparations in neuronal cell differentiation.

Concentrated Growth Factors (CGF) is a platelet rich preparation that has the
important feature of a tight fibrin network and containing a large number of growth
factors possessing great regenerative potentialities [1].
The regeneration of nervous system is one of the mail goal of regenerative medicine.
The aim of this study is to test the in vitro CGF effects on both differentiated and
undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells, derived from human neuroblastoma.
To induce differentiation, SH-SY5Y cells have been treated with Retinoic Acid
(RA) 10μM, in both basal and complete medium and in the presence and absence
of CGF. After 72 hours, different parameters have been investigated: the morphological
characteristics of the cells, the cell proliferation, the cellular vitality using the
MTT test, the CGF and/or RA differentiation property and the immunocytochemical
analysis of neuronal specific markers (NeuN, Sinaptophisine, β-III-tubulin, Nestin).
Moreover the NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) and BDNF (Brain Derived Growth Factor)
release have been assayed by ELISA test.
Our results obtained suggest that treatment with CGF, also used alone, positively
affects cell differentiation and neuronal phenotype regulating the expression of the
neuronal markers and improving the outgrowth of neurites.
Taken together these results seems to be promised into new approaches for neuronal
regeneration using platelet preparations.