The in vitro efficacy of advanced platelet-rich fibrin plus versus injectable platelet-rich fibrin on the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a promising host-derived scaffold for regenerative endodontic treatment. This study investigated the effects of advanced PRF plus (A-PRF+) and injectable PRF (i-PRF) on the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs). A-PRF+ and i-PRF were prepared using a DUO Quattro centrifuge following a standard protocol. A-PRF+ and i-PRF extract were diluted in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and Ham's F-12 medium (DMEM/F12) to produce the experimental culture medium. DMEM/F12 and DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS) were used as the negative control (NC) and positive control (PC) media, respectively. The proliferative ability of SCAPs was assessed using a counting method (haemocytometer). The migration ability was examined using a scratch-wound assay. Alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, dentin matrix protein 1, and dentin sialophosphoprotein expression were measured to determine the differentiation ability. The proliferation, migration, and differentiation of SCAPs in the A-PRF+ group were similar to those of the PC group. In the i-PRF group, the cell number was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than that of the A-PRF+ group on days 8 and 10; the percentage of the scratched area on days 1 and 2 was significantly higher than in the A-PRF+ group (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of biomarkers in the i-PRF group were similar to those in the A-PRF+ group. Both A-PRF+ and i-PRF induce SCAPs proliferation, migration, and differentiation. However, A-PRF+ was superior in supporting the proliferation and migration of SCAPs.