The project was supported by CTSA (UL1TR000058) from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences) and the CCTR Endowment Fund of Virginia Commonwealth University. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent official views of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences or the National Institutes of Health.

All blood-drawing procedures should be done by licensed and certified professionals. Use of human subjects for research involves approval from the Institutional Review Board or other appropriate authority. Special precautions regarding informed consent and protecting participant identification need to be followed. All experiments listed in this protocol involve handling of human blood and/or blood products and appropriate personal protective equipment need to be worn at all times. The waste should be considered as biohaz...

<ol>
	<li>Marx, R. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platelet-rich+plasma+Growth+factor+enhancement+for+bone+grafts.">Platelet-rich plasma Growth factor enhancement for bone grafts.</a> Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 85 (6), 638-646 (1998).</li><li>Rodriguez, I. A., Growney Kalaf, E. A., Bowlin, G. L., Sell, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platelet-rich+plasma+in+bone+regeneration:+Engineering+the+delivery+for+improved+clinical+efficacy.">Platelet-rich plasma in bone regeneration: Engineering the delivery for improved clinical efficacy.</a> BioMed Res In. 2014, (2014).</li><li>Del Corso, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+Knowledge+and+Perspectives+for+the+Use+of+Platelet-Rich+Plasma+(PRP)+and+Platelet-Rich+Fibrin+(PRF).">Current Knowledge and Perspectives for the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF).</a> in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Part 1: Periodontal and Dentoalveolar Surgery. Curr Pharm Biotechno. 13 (7), 1207-1230 (2012).</li><li>Mazzucco, L., Balbo, V., Cattana, E., Guaschino, R., Borzini, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Not+every+PRP-gel+is+born+equal+Evaluation+of+growth+factor+availability+for+tissues+through+four+PRP-gel+preparations:+Fibrinet,+RegenPRP-Kit,+Plateltex+and+one+manual+procedure.">Not every PRP-gel is born equal Evaluation of growth factor availability for tissues through four PRP-gel preparations: Fibrinet, RegenPRP-Kit, Plateltex and one manual procedure.</a> Vox San. 97 (2), 110-118 (2009).</li><li>Fern&#225;ndez-Barbero, J. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Flow+cytometric+and+morphological+characterization+of+platelet-rich+plasma+gel.">Flow cytometric and morphological characterization of platelet-rich plasma gel.</a> Clin Oral Implants Re. 17 (6), 687-693 (2006).</li><li>Li, Z., Guan, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hydrogels+for+cardiac+tissue+engineering.">Hydrogels for cardiac tissue engineering.</a> Polymer. 3 (2), 740-761 (2011).</li><li>Zhu, J., Cai, B., Ma, Q., Chen, F., Wu, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+bricks-enriched+platelet-rich+plasma+gel+for+injectable+cartilage+engineering+&#8211;+an+in+vivo+experiment+in+nude+mice.">Cell bricks-enriched platelet-rich plasma gel for injectable cartilage engineering &#8211; an in vivo experiment in nude mice.</a> J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 7 (10), 819-830 (2013).</li><li>Dohan, D. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platelet-rich+fibrin+(PRF):+a+second-generation+platelet+concentrate.+Part+I:+technological+concepts+and+evolution.">Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF): a second-generation platelet concentrate. Part I: technological concepts and evolution.</a> Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 101 (3), e37-e44 (2006).</li><li>Dohan, D. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platelet-rich+fibrin+(PRF):+a+second-generation+platelet+concentrate.+Part+II:+platelet-related+biologic+features.">Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF): a second-generation platelet concentrate. Part II: platelet-related biologic features.</a> Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 101 (3), e45-e50 (2006).</li><li>Choukroun, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platelet-rich+fibrin+(PRF):+a+second-generation+platelet+concentrate.+Part+V:+histologic+evaluations+of+PRF+effects+on+bone+allograft+maturation+in+sinus+lift.">Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF): a second-generation platelet concentrate. Part V: histologic evaluations of PRF effects on bone allograft maturation in sinus lift.</a> Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 101 (3), 299-303 (2006).</li><li>Dohan Ehrenfest, D. M., Bielecki, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Do+the+Fibrin+Architecture+and+Leukocyte+Content+Influence+the+Growth+Factor+Release+of+Platelet+Concentrates?+An+Evidence-based+Answer+Comparing+a+Pure+Platelet-Rich+Plasma+(P-PRP)+Gel+and+a+Leukocyte-+and+Platelet-Rich+Fibrin+(L-PRF).">Do the Fibrin Architecture and Leukocyte Content Influence the Growth Factor Release of Platelet Concentrates? An Evidence-based Answer Comparing a Pure Platelet-Rich Plasma (P-PRP) Gel and a Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (L-PRF).</a> Curr Pharma Biotechno. 13 (7), 1145-1152 (2012).</li><li>Dohan Ehrenfest, D. M., Rasmusson, L., Albrektsson, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Classification+of+platelet+concentrates:+from+pure+platelet-rich+plasma+(P-PRP)+to+leucocyte-+and+platelet-rich+fibrin+(L-PRF).">Classification of platelet concentrates: from pure platelet-rich plasma (P-PRP) to leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF).</a> Trends Biotechno. 27 (3), 158-167 (2009).</li><li>Mine, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Suture+Retention+Strength+of+Expanded+Polytetrafluoroethylene+(ePTFE)+Graft.">Suture Retention Strength of Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) Graft.</a> Acta Med Okayam. 64 (2), 121-128 (2010).</li><li>Braet, F., De Zanger, R., Wisse, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drying+cells+for+SEM+,+AFM+and+TEM+by+hexamethyldisilazane:+a+study+on+hepatic+endothelial+cells.">Drying cells for SEM , AFM and TEM by hexamethyldisilazane: a study on hepatic endothelial cells.</a> J Micros. 186 (1), 84-87 (1997).</li><li>Yuan, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+cross-linking+of+chitosan+microspheres+with+genipin+on+protein+release.">The effect of cross-linking of chitosan microspheres with genipin on protein release.</a> Carbohydr Poly. 68 (3), 561-567 (2007).</li><li>Sell, S. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cross-linking+methods+of+electrospun+fibrinogen+scaffolds+for+tissue+engineering+applications.">Cross-linking methods of electrospun fibrinogen scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.</a> Biomed Mater. 3 (4), (2008).</li><li>Gorczyca, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+and+characterization+of+genipin+cross-linked+porous+chitosan-collagen-gelatin+scaffolds+using+chitosan-CO2+solution.">Preparation and characterization of genipin cross-linked porous chitosan-collagen-gelatin scaffolds using chitosan-CO2 solution.</a> Carbohydr Poly. 102, 901-911 (2014).</li><li>Rozman, P., Semenic, D., Wislet-Gendebien, S. a. b. i. n. e. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chapter+15.+The+Role+of+Platelet+Gel+in+Regenerative+Medicine.">Chapter 15. The Role of Platelet Gel in Regenerative Medicine.</a> Advances In Regenerative Medicine. , 319-349 (2011).</li><li>Dohan Ehrenfest, ., Lemo, D. M., Jimbo, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Selecting+a+relevant+animal+model+for+testing+the+in+vivo+effects+of+Choukroun&#8217;s+platelet-rich+fibrin+(PRF):+Rabbit+tricks+and+traps.">Selecting a relevant animal model for testing the in vivo effects of Choukroun&#8217;s platelet-rich fibrin (PRF): Rabbit tricks and traps.</a> Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 110 (4), 413-416 (2010).</li><li>Guilak, F., Baaijens, F. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+tissue+engineering:+Ten+more+years+of+progress.">Functional tissue engineering: Ten more years of progress.</a> J Biomec. 47 (9), 1931-1932 (2014).</li><li>Guilak, F., Butler, D. L., Goldstein, S. A., Baaijens, F. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biomechanics+and+mechanobiology+in+functional+tissue+engineering.">Biomechanics and mechanobiology in functional tissue engineering.</a> J Biomec. 47 (9), 1933-1940 (2014).</li><li>Collet, J. P., Shuman, H., Ledger, R. E., Lee, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+elasticity+of+an+individual+fibrin+fiber+in+a+clot.">The elasticity of an individual fibrin fiber in a clot.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci. 102 (26), 9133-9137 (2005).</li><li>Liu, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fibrin+fibers+have+extraordinary+extensibility+and+elasticity.">Fibrin fibers have extraordinary extensibility and elasticity.</a> Science. 313 (5787), 634 (2006).</li><li>American National Standard. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chapter+8:+Test+methods+for+vascular+prostheses.">Chapter 8: Test methods for vascular prostheses.</a> Association for the Advancement of Medica lnstrumentation Guidance document: Cardiovascular Implants - Tubular vascular prostheses. , 33-34 (2001).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose and confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication.

Autologous platelet concentrates are promising in the field of regenerative medicine18 because of the abundance of growth factors. However, these preparations often lacked a defined structure that makes surgical manipulation very difficult. Many times, the suspensions and gels are not retained effectively at the site of delivery, resulting in unpredictable outcomes. L-PRF represents a huge advance in the evolution of platelet concentrates in that it is essentially a firm fibrin membrane with entrapped platelet...

The use of blood and blood-derived products to seal wounds and improve healing in different clinical situations started with fibrin glues, which are mainly fibrinogen concentrates. Addition of platelets to fibrin glue not only improved their strength but also promoted neoangiogenesis and regeneration. These benefits are attributed to the release of a variety of peptide growth factors from the alpha-granules of platelets upon activation1. Platelet concentrates (PC) were seen as a practical way to deliver growth factors2 and its use was driven by commercial interests rather than research characterization3. In fact, PCs are difficult to characterize unlike homogenous and defined pharmacological preparations, they are a potpourri of signaling molecules and blood cells (platelet and leukocytes) entrapped within a fibrin matrix. Different commercial and proprietary preparations yield a variety of PC that are different in cellular composition, growth factor recovery and kinetics of release4. 
It is important to realize that in most oral surgeries, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparations are used as a gel in open surgical wounds and not as platelet suspensions. In these situations, the gelation is induced by the addition of thrombin, calcium chloride, batroxobin or other agents and directly placed in the site of injury5. Due to rapid activation, fibrinogen polymerization is often incomplete and results in friable fibrin gels with very little mechanical strength. In addition, injectable PRP gels undergo rapid fibrinolysis6,7.
In contrast, the processes of blood coagulation (fibrinogen polymerization), platelet enrichment and activation occur simultaneously in the preparation of L-PRF8. The coagulation cascade is triggered when whole blood contacts the walls of a dry glass tube and continues throughout the centrifugation process. This results in the formation of a mechanically-strong blood clot (L-PRF) that can be surgically handled and used. 
Even though L-PRF has been investigated in terms of optimal methods of preparation, growth factor release and cell distribution9-11, detailed mechanical characterization of these membranes are lacking. This is significant gap in knowledge, given the popularity of these membranes in clinical practice as well as its potential to be used as a biomaterial. Current study focusses on the protocol for deriving L-PRF as well as methods that can be employed to study its mechanical properties. This data is intended to serve as baseline for ongoing studies investigating the viscoelastic properties of this interesting natural biomaterial.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Needle 19G</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>305186</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Needle Disposal Container</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>14-827-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Red-Topped Glass Collection Tube</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>8020129</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gauze Pads</td>
			<td>Tyco</td>
			<td>5750</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bandage</td>
			<td>Johnson &#38; Johnson</td>
			<td>5005989</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surshield</td>
			<td>Terumo</td>
			<td>SV*S19BL</td>
			<td>Safety winged infusion set</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Blood Collection Assembly</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>303380</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tourniquets</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>367203</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Brand Luer Adapter</td>
			<td>Vacutainer</td>
			<td>L42179</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Intra-Spin System&#160;</td>
			<td>Intra-Lock International</td>
			<td>ISS110</td>
			<td>Centrifuge and Xpression L-PRF FabricationKit&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipettes (Serological &#38; Micro)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scalpel</td>
			<td>Exelint</td>
			<td>29552</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MTS Bionix 200</td>
			<td>MTS Systems Corporation</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Material testing systems</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MTS Test Works 4</td>
			<td>MTS Systems Corporation</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Whatman Filter Paper</td>
			<td>Whatman</td>
			<td>1004 070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SS Orthodontic ligature wire</td>
			<td>Patterson Dental</td>
			<td>628-4228</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>200 Proof Ethanol</td>
			<td>Koptec</td>
			<td>V1001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)</td>
			<td>Aldrich</td>
			<td>440191</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aluminium Mounting Stubs</td>
			<td>Ted Pella</td>
			<td>16324</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Double Sided Carbon Tape</td>
			<td>PELCO Tabs</td>
			<td>16084-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scanning Electron Microscope</td>
			<td>JEOL</td>
			<td>LV 5610</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin</td>
			<td>HyClone</td>
			<td>SH30042.01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Culture Incubator</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc</td>
			<td>51026282</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-Antimicotic</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15240-062</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Genipin</td>
			<td>Wako</td>
			<td>078-03021</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Culture Media</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>12000-022</td>
			<td>Minimum Essential Medium-Alpha</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MTS Reagent</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>G1118</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PMS Reagent</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P9625</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spectrophotometer</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Epoch Spectrophotometer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10mm Glass Cloning Rings</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3166-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T-75 Flask</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430641</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DPBS</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>55-031-PB</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ninhydrin 98%</td>
			<td>Aldrich</td>
			<td>454044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24 Well Plate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3987</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biopsy Punch</td>
			<td>Acu Punch</td>
			<td>P1025</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digital Micrometer</td>
			<td>Pittsburgh</td>
			<td>68305</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glutaraldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G6257</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>12 Well Plate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3336</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>96 Well Plate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3596</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

characterization of leukocyte-platelet rich fibrin, a novel biomaterial

Autologous platelet concentrates represent promising innovative tools in the field of regenerative medicine and have been extensively used in oral surgery. Unlike platelet rich plasma (PRP) that is a gel or a suspension, Leukocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) is a solid 3D fibrin membrane generated chair-side from whole blood containing no anti-coagulant. The membrane has a dense three dimensional fibrin matrix with enriched platelets and abundant growth factors. L-PRF is a popular adjunct in surgeries because of its superior handling characteristics as well as its suturability to the wound bed. The goal of the study is to demonstrate generation as well as provide detailed characterization of relevant properties of L-PRF that underlie its clinical success.

The scanning electron microscope image of the L-PRF clot at different sections (top, middle and bottom) layer is illustrated in Figure 2. As can be seen, the top portion is composed predominantly of fibrin network with no cells. The middle layer is enriched with platelets with evidence of their activation and degranulation. The lower layer has a mixture of leukocytes and red blood cells entrapped within a fibrin matrix.
The mechanical properties were evaluated in two modes: un...

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Characterization of Leukocyte-platelet Rich Fibrin, A Novel Biomaterial

Leucocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) represents an FDA cleared preparation of autologous platelet concentrates that possesses unique fibrin architecture, enriched platelets and abundant growth factors. Here, we present a protocol for chair-side generation of L-PRF as well as evaluate its mechanical properties including uniaxial testing and suture retention strength testing.

Autologous platelet concentrates represent promising innovative tools in the field of regenerative medicine and have been extensively used in oral ...

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12.8K visualizações.  School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University. Leucocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) represents an FDA cleared preparation of autologous platelet concentrates that possesses unique fibrin architecture, enriched platelets and abundant growth factors. Here, we present a protocol for chair-side generation of L-PRF as well as evaluate its mechanical properties including uniaxial testing and suture retention strength testing. 