Effects of standard and photoactivated platelet-rich plasma on human meniscus fibrochondrocytes in IL-1β-induced inflammation

Abstract

The meniscus degeneration pathogenesis is important for understanding and developing new treatment methods; it includes biochemical, structural, and microcirculatory alterations affecting all joint structures. The study aimed to perform in vitro assessment of the effects of standard and photoactivated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the IL6, IL17A concentrations, expression of COL2A1 and CD95 apoptosis marker in human meniscus fibrochondrocytes in the IL1β-induced inflammation. The human knee meniscus cartilage tissue was collected from 12 somatically healthy donors aged 18 to 35 years for the experiment. Cells were divided into four groups: the first was intact (control), the second, third, and fourth ones were exposed to IL1β to induce degenerative alterations; the second one was supplemented with 0.9% NaCl, the third one with donor PRP, and the fourth one with photoactivated PRP. Parameters were determined after 48 h. Statistical analysis was performed in GraphPad Prism 9. The rm-ANOVA was used for related groups. Data were presented as mean ± SD, at p < 0.05. IL6 (79.6 ± 4.3 pg/mL vs. 28.4 ± 2.1 pg/mL), IL17A (42.8 ± 2.5 pg/mL vs. 14.2 ± 1.0 pg/mL), CD95 (28.5 ± 2.2% vs. 6.8 ± 0.7%) levels increased in group II compared to group I; COL2A1 levels decreased from 1.00 ± 0.08 to 0.42 ± 0.0). IL6 levels decreased to 55.1 ± 3.4 pg/mL, IL17A — to 29.4 ± 2.1 pg/mL, CD95 — to 17.2 ± 1.5%, and COL2A1 levels increased to 0.71 ± 0.06 in group III compared to group II. IL6 levels decreased to 38.2 ± 2.6 pg/mL, IL17A — to 18.6 ± 1.7 pg/mL, CD95 — to 9.4 ± 0.8%, and COL2A1 levels increased to 0.94 ± 0.07 (p < 0,05) in group IV compared to group III. Standard PRP has a positive effect on meniscus tissue in vitro after 48 h. The effect is enhanced after the PRP exposure to red light.