Biomolecules
The Proteomic Profiling of a Platelet-Enriched Fraction Identifies an Inflammatory and Immune-Related Signature Associated with Non-Response to Treatment with Plasma Rich in Growth Factors in Knee Osteoarthritis
By Alessandra Colombini, Vincenzo Raffo, Elena De Vecchi and 7 others.
Abstract
Background
The use of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) is a promising regenerative treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA), but clinical response is heterogeneous. This study aimed to identify molecular features and explore clinical factors associated with PRGF non-response and explore potential biomarkers for patient stratification.
Methods
One hundred patients with knee OA (Kellgren–Lawrence II–III) treated with two intra-articular PRGF injections were evaluated at baseline and 6 months. Clinical response was defined by a ≥8-point improvement in overall knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS). Exploratory proteomic profiling was performed in a subgroup of 33 patients (13 responders and 20 non-responders) using platelet-rich plasma-derived platelet lysate (PRP-PL) generated from the same blood-derived preparation used for treatment. Samples were analyzed by data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry, followed by a bioinformatic analysis of differential proteins and enriched pathways. To further investigate selected proteomic findings, IgA levels were quantified in PRP-PL from the entire cohort.