Tabriz University of Medical Sciences BioImpacts 2228-5652 10 1 2020 01 01 Comparative impact of platelet rich plasma and transforming growth factor-β on chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells 37 43 10.15171/bi.2020.05 EN Roya Hesari https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4315-3309 Mina Keshvarinia Mahboubeh Kabiri Iman Rad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7185-6629 Kazem Parivar Hoorieh Hoseinpoor Rezvan Tavakoli Masoud Soleimani Fatemeh Kouhkan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7262-0207 Soheila Zamanluee Hana Hanaee-Ahvaz https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9249-4279 Journal Article 10.15171/bi.2020.05 2019 08 05 2019 10 12 Introduction: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is known as standard chondrogenic differentiation agent, even though it comes with undesirable side effects such as early hypertrophic maturation, mineralization, and secretion of inflammatory/angiogenic factors. On the other hand, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is found to have a chondrogenic impact on mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and differentiation, with no considerable side effects. Therefore, we compared chondrogenic impact of TGF-β and PRP on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), to see if PRP could be introduced as an alternative to TGF-β. Methods: Differentiation of ADSCs was monitored using a couple of methods including glycosaminoglycan production, miRNAs expression, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) secretion, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium content assays. Results: Accordingly, the treatment of differentiating cells with 5% (v/v) PRP resulted in higher glycosaminoglycan production, enhanced SOX9 transcription, and lowered TNFα and VEGF secretion compared to the control and TGF-β groups. Besides, the application of PRP to the media up-regulated miR-146a and miR-199a in early and late stages of chondrogenesis, respectively. Conclusion: PRP induces in vitro chondrogenesis, as well as TGF-β with lesser inflammatory and hypertrophic side effects.