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OBJECTIVE: Hair loss generates severe psychosocial implications. To date, exploring the prognostic factors of possible clinical benefit of autologous blood concentrate platelet rich plasma (PRP) was failed. The aim of our pilot study was to explore the correlation between the individual inflammation genetic profile and PRP efficacy in the treatment of hair follicle regeneration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 41 volunteers (25 men, 16 women) took part in this retrospective study. All the patients were scheduled for 4 sessions of PRP application with intervals of 40-60 days. All the patients were checked up at 6 weekly intervals for 6 months and, then, at the end of the first year. A panel of 5 polymorphisms on 4 genes (IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-6, and IL-10) implicated in the individual genetic inflammation profile were performed. RESULTS: A significant increase rate in hair density was noticed after the third month of treatment in 32/41 (78%) of the subjects. We found an interesting association between the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1a polymorphism C>A (rs17561) and responders to PRP treatment. The cases carrying C/C genotype (coding for Ser114) were 21 (66%) in responders and only 2 (22%) in non-responders (p<0.05). In addition, about IL-1a, the frequency of G/G genotype in responder patients was over two times lower in responder (31%) than in non-responder patients (78%). CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study demonstrated a correlation between the individual genetic inflammatory profile and the efficacy of the PRP treatment in males. On the contrary, in females, it showed a negative correlation. IL-1a could be used as a prognostic value for PRP efficacy. Also, these results provide preliminary evidence that may encourage the design of controlled clinical trials to properly test this modus operandi on a large number of subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transfer of vaccine antibodies (Ab) from donors to recipients after transfusion of packed red blood cells (RBC) is supposed, thus affecting the recipients' response to vaccinations. In this prospective study, SARS-CoV-2 IgG level in donors' serum and RBC supernatant samples was assessed. Among 346 subjects, 280 were referred for hyperimmune plasma donation and 30 for whole blood donations. All units underwent pre-storage filtration, and residual plasma volume was 18±18 mL. The mean total IgG and IgM levels were 171.43 ± 48.79 and 11.43 ± 10.69 mg/dL respectively, with significant reduction after plasma depletion and filtration (IgG 5.86 ± 5.2 and IgM 1.43 ± 3.78, p < 0.05). Anti-COVID-19 Ab were identified in serum of 28/30 (93.5%) blood donors but were absent in all blood units. The mean value of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG level in donors' serum samples and in RBC units was 8.80 S/C (range 0.01-23.4) and 0.11 (range 0.01-0.37) S/C, respectively (p<0.05). This study shows deplasmation and leukodepletion of RBC units ensured removal of IgG content and no red blood cell unit was reactive for anti-COVID-19 antibodies even from donors with high serum titre. These findings demonstrate that deplasmated and leukodepleted RBCs are not to be considered blood products containing substantial amounts of immune globulin, and differently from other blood derived-products containing Ab, transfusions with deplasmated and leukodepleted RBCs do not require delayed vaccinations and a revision of current recommendations is requested., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Platelet products are commonly used in regenerative medicine due to their effects on the acceleration and promotion of wound healing, reduction of bleeding, synthesis of new connective tissue, and revascularization. Furthermore, a novel approach for the treatment of damaged tissues, following trauma or other pathological damages, is represented by the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In dogs, both platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and MSCs have been suggested to be promising options for subacute skin wounds. However, the collection of canine PRP is not always feasible. In this study, we investigated the effect of human PRP (hPRP) on canine MSCs (cMSCs). We isolated cMSCs and observed that hPRP did not modify the expression levels of the primary class of major histocompatibility complex genes. However, hPRP was able to increase cMSC viability and migration by at least 1.5-fold. hPRP treatment enhanced both Aquaporin (AQP) 1 and AQP5 protein levels, and their inhibition by tetraethylammonium chloride led to a reduction of PRP-induced migration of cMSCs. In conclusion, we have provided evidence that hPRP supports cMSC survival and may promote cell migration, at least through AQP activation. Thus, hPRP may be useful in canine tissue regeneration and repair, placing as a promising tool for veterinary therapeutic approaches., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Alessia Parascandolo et al.)

Low-grade chronic inflammation (LGCI) is a common feature of non-communicable diseases. Cytokines play a crucial role in LGCI. This study aimed to assess how LGCI risk factors [e.g., age, body mass index (BMI), smoke, physical activity, and diet] may impact on specific cytokine levels in a healthy population. In total, 150 healthy volunteers were recruited and subjected to questionnaires about the last 7-day lifestyle, including smoking habit, physical activity, and food frequency. A panel of circulating cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors was analyzed by multiplex ELISA. BMI showed the heaviest impact on the correlation between LGCI-related risk factors and cytokines and was significantly associated with CRP levels. Aging was characterized by an increase in IL-1b, eotaxin, MCP-1, and MIP-1α. Smoking was related to higher levels of IL-1b and CCL5/RANTES, while physical activity was related to MIP-1α. Within the different eating habits, CRP levels were modulated by eggs, red meat, shelled fruits, and greens consumption; however, these associations were not confirmed in a multivariate model after adjusting for BMI. Nevertheless, red meat consumption was associated with an inflammatory pattern, characterized by an increase in IL-6 and IL-8. IL-8 levels were also increased with the frequent intake of sweets, while a higher intake of shelled fruits correlated with lower levels of IL-6. Moreover, IL-6 and IL-8 formed a cluster that also included IL-1b and TNF-α. In conclusion, age, BMI, smoke, physical activity, and dietary habits are associated with specific cytokines that may represent potential markers for LGCI., Competing Interests: FC was employed by the Anti-inflammaging Company AG. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The reviewer GA declared a shared affiliation with the authors MDT, MLe, SC, AP, BC, GP, MS, and PF to the handling editor at the time of review., (Copyright © 2022 D'Esposito, Di Tolla, Lecce, Cavalli, Libutti, Misso, Cabaro, Ambrosio, Parascandolo, Covelli, Perruolo, Sansone and Formisano.)

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) still determine significant morbidity and mortality, although a highly effective vaccine is available. Postponing the MMR vaccination until 6 months after the last red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is recommended, but this delay is incompatible with chronic transfusions. The present study aimed at investigating the impact of blood transfusions on the immunogenicity of the MMR vaccine. In this observational study, a group of 45 transfusion- dependent (TD) patients was compared to 24 non-transfusion-dependent (NTD) patients. Immunity to measles was achieved in 35 (78%) TD and 21 (88%) NTD subjects (p = 0.7), to mumps in 36 (80%) TD and 21 (88%) NTD subjects (p = 0.99), and to rubella in 40 (89%) TD and 23 (96%) NTD subjects (p = 0.99). No significant difference was observed in the number of non-immune individuals or those with doubtful protection between the two groups ( p > 0.05). The mean IgG value, assayed in 50 pre-storage leukoreduced RBC units, was 0.075 ± 0.064 mg/mL, ten times lower than the level assumed in blood units and considered detrimental to the immune response in TD patients. This work shows a favorable response to MMR vaccination in TD and NTDT patients and paves the way for further larger studies assessing the impact of chronic transfusions on vaccine response.

Diabetic patients display increased risk of periodontitis and failure in bone augmentation procedures. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) represent a relevant advantage in tissue repair process and regenerative medicine. We isolated MSCs from Bichat's buccal fat pad (BFP) and measured the effects of glucose and PRP on cell number and osteogenic differentiation potential. Cells were cultured in the presence of 5.5-mM glucose (low glucose [LG]) or 25-mM glucose (high glucose [HG]). BFP-MSC number was significantly lower when cells were cultured in HG compared with those in LG. Following osteogenic differentiation procedures, calcium accumulation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and expression of osteogenic markers were significantly lower in HG compared with LG. Exposure of BFP-MSC to PRP significantly increased cell number and osteogenic differentiation potential, reaching comparable levels in LG and in HG. Thus, high-glucose concentrations impair BFP-MSC growth and osteogenic differentiation. However, these detrimental effects are largely counteracted by PRP., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Aim: Our research aimed to evaluate the risk of haemorrhage following oral surgical operations, in patients who were undergoing an anticoagulant therapy, and to test the usefulness of the autologous platelet gel in order to control haemostasis., Methods: A total of 208 patients (84 males/124 females) undergoing an anticoagulant therapy and submitted to oral surgery, were divided at random into 4 groups (A, B, C, D) consisting of 52 patients each, using as criterion of differentiation the kind of treatment we adopted in order to get haemostasis. The patients belonging to the first 3 groups (A, B, C), underwent a surgical operation without discontinuing the dicumarol therapy. In order to get haemostasis, we used: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and suture, in group A; PRP, haemostatic sponges and suture, in group B; haemostatic sponges, suture and compression by means of gauzes soaked in tranexamic acid in group C. Group D, instead, consisted of patients who underwent a surgical operation, before which the dicumarol therapy had been suspended and replaced by heparincalcium., Results: Patients belonging to the groups A and B showed a very good haemostasis like the patients of group D (control group). As the coumarin therapy didn't need to be discontinued some days before the surgical operation, so the days of hospital stay were reduced and there wasn't the risk of thromboembolism. As to group C (19 males), 6 patients (i.e. 11.5%) showed a good haemostasis, both at once and in the long term, so that they could be discharged on day 2 after surgery., Conclusions: The results obtained during our research, highly encourage using PRP regularly when carrying out surgical treatments on patients who are undergoing a coumarin therapy.

Objective: Fetoneonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a relatively rare clinical syndrome characterized by marked thrombocytopenia shortly after birth. It occurs when fetal platelets are destroyed, after sensitization, by a transplacental passage of maternal antibodies directed against a fetal platelet alloantigen inherited from the father. This article reviews some pathophysiologic and clinical aspects of FNAIT., Methods: We also present our experience with the management of 12 newborns affected with a symptomatic form of this disorder in order to verify what would be the best diagnostic and therapeutic protocols., Results: Antibody identification in maternal serum showed 9 anti-HPA-1a (75% of cases), 2 anti-HPA-1b (17%) and 1 anti-HPA-1a+anti-Gp IV+anti-HLA class I (8%)., Conclusion: Sixteen human platelet alloantigen (HPA) systems have been identified, six major (from HPA 1 to 5 and HPA 15) and ten rare or private, each composed of two allelic antigens (named "a" or "b", according to major or minor frequency in the population). All HPA systems, including private or low frequency, may play a role in determining FNAIT. Unfortunately FNAIT cannot be prevented, in fact no one of maternal parameters is predictive of thrombocytopenia or its magnitude.