Topical treatment of ocular surface defects: comparison of the epitheliotrophic capacity of fresh frozen plasma and serum on corneal epithelial cells in an in vitro cell culture model.

Accelerated healing of ocular surface disorders was reported using serum for topical application. It is supposed that growth factors, fibronectin and vitamins in serum support the proliferation of corneal epithelial cells. The use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) instead of serum is theoretically attractive, as it is more easily available from blood banks. In this study, serum and FFP were investigated for composition of epitheliotrophic factors and effect on corneal epithelial cells. Whole blood was taken from five donors. Serum and FFP were prepared, and the concentrations of epithelial growth factor (EGF), Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta1, fibronectin and vitamin A were determined. Immortalized human corneal epithelial cells were used to investigate growth, migration and differentiation in response to both blood products. Significant differences were found regarding the mediator composition of serum and FFP. Serum rather than FFP was significantly superior in stimulating cell growth, migration and differentiation. The epitheliotrophic capacity of blood products depends upon the composition of growth factors and vitamins. Blood clotting strongly influences the growth factor pattern. The superior epitheliotrophic capacity of serum might be due to the higher concentration of proliferation mediators such as EGF and PDGF and its higher content of vitamin A.