Autologous platelet‑rich plasma promotes proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of adipose‑derived stem cells.

Cartilage regeneration is a promising potential therapy for articular cartilage defects and adult stem cells serve a key role in regenerative medicine. Adipose‑derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been identified as an alternative source of adult stem cells in recent years and can be differentiated into numerous types of cell, including chondrocytes, adipocytes and osteoblasts. However, their clinical use is restricted by the proliferation of cells, and their tendency to dedifferentiate. Platelet‑rich plasma (PRP) has recently emerged as a potential bioactive material to promote cell proliferation and differentiation, based on the release of growth factors. In the current study, the effect of autologous PRP on the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs was examined. The results indicated that PRP promotes ADSC proliferation and suggested that PRP leads to chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs in vitro. When co‑cultured with chondrocytes, the ADSCs on three‑dimensional PRP scaffolds were able to form neocartilage, with positive staining of safranine O, which indicated the production of glycosaminoglycan, and type II collagen.