Mechanism of accelerated corneal epithelial wound healing in keratoconjunctival epithelial disorders induced by platelet-rich plasma eye-drops.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20997
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0906:Surgery related to the biological and sensory functions and related fields
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: Okumura Yuichi 順天堂大学, 大学院医学研究科, 特任助教 (80907361)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 眼科 / 角結膜 / 角結膜上皮障害創傷治癒 / 多血小板血漿 / platelet-rich plasma / 創傷治癒 / 再生医療

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and sterility of stored at 4°C for 4 weeks platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye-drops for corneal epithelial wound healing.There is an urgent need to develop effective therapeutic agents for keratoconjunctival epithelial disorders that do not respond to existing eye-drops. Here, the levels of different growth factorsand active ingredients were examined during the storage of PRP eye-drops. Furthermore, the stability and sterility of PRP were investigated for future clinical use. None of the post-storage samples of PRP eye-drops showed a positive culture result for either bacteria or fungi. After storage, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and fibronectin levels were significantly higher in PRP than in autologous serum (AS) eye-drops. In vitro and in vivo, PRP eye-drops stored for 4 weeks significantly promoted corneal wound healing compared with AS eye-drops.

Free Research Field

眼科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

PRP点眼は既存の治療が奏効しない難治性角結膜上皮障害に対する新たな治療法として期待されている。一方で、患者がPRP点眼を利用する際には自宅等での冷蔵保存が必要となるが、今まで冷蔵保存後のPRP点眼の安全性や有効性に関する報告はなく、臨床応用を阻んでいた。本研究では、冷蔵保存したPRP点眼の安全性および有効性を明らかにした。
本研究により、冷蔵保存したPRP点眼は、無菌性を維持した状態で角膜上皮障害の創傷治癒を促進することが明らかとなり、PRP点眼が難治性角結膜上皮障害に対する新たな治療法となる可能性が示唆された。
本研究はPRP点眼の臨床応用に向けた社会的意義のある橋渡し的研究であったと考える。