{
  "abstract": "Background: The use of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) is a promising regenerative treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA), but clinical response is heterogeneous. This study aimed to identify molecular features and explore clinical factors associated with PRGF non-response and explore potential biomarkers for patient stratification. Methods: One hundred patients with knee OA (Kellgren–Lawrence II–III) treated with two intra-articular PRGF injections were evaluated at baseline and 6 months. Clinical response was defined by a ≥8-point improvement in overall knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS). Exploratory proteomic profiling was performed in a subgroup of 33 patients (13 responders and 20 non-responders) using platelet-rich plasma-derived platelet lysate (PRP-PL) generated from the same blood-derived preparation used for treatment. Samples were analyzed by data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry, followed by a bioinformatic analysis of differential proteins and enriched pathways. To further investigate selected proteomic findings, IgA levels were quantified in PRP-PL from the entire cohort. Results: Responders showed significant improvements in pain, overall KOOS, and functional outcomes. Proteomic analysis identified a non-responder signature characterized by increased immunoglobulin chains, complement-related proteins, acute-phase molecules, extracellular matrix remodeling proteins, and metabolic stress markers. Functional enrichment revealed the activation of immune, inflammatory, and tissue remodeling pathways. IgA levels in PRP-PL were significantly higher in non-responders, consistent with the immunoglobulin-related proteomic findings. Conclusions: PRGF non-response is associated with an inflammatory and immune-related phenotype. Higher IgA levels in PRP-PL were associated with reduced treatment responsiveness and may help identify a biological phenotype less likely to benefit from PRGF treatment.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Orthopaedic Biotechnology Lab, IRCCS Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio Hospital, 20157 Milan, Italy",
    "Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (Di. Me. Pre-J), University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy",
    "Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology, IRCCS Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio Hospital, 20157 Milan, Italy",
    "Division of Rheumatology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy",
    "Proteomics Group of Ri. MED Foundation, Research Department IRCCS ISMETT (Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), 90133 Palermo, Italy"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Alessandra Colombini",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-1800-3424"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Vincenzo Raffo",
      "orcid": "0009-0004-4658-722X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Elena De Vecchi",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-9781-8607"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Laura Pandolfi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Emiliano Marasco"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Giulio Grieco"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Simona Landoni"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Margot Lo Pinto",
      "orcid": "0009-0003-0394-9414"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Simone Dario Scilabra",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7300-6153"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Laura de Girolamo",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-9979-3092"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7hrq6dstqghfb.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/biom16101482",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13702774/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "7hrq6dstqghfb",
  "issns": [
    "2218-273X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/10/1482",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2748|Periodontal Regeneration and Treatments"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221521323",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13702774/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13702774",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7hrq6dstqghfb.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:59Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/biom16101482",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/10/1482"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:45Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13702774",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13702774"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2748|Periodontal Regeneration and Treatments",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "The Proteomic Profiling of a Platelet-Enriched Fraction Identifies an Inflammatory and Immune-Related Signature Associated with Non-Response to Treatment with Plasma Rich in Growth Factors in Knee Osteoarthritis",
  "title_text": "The Proteomic Profiling of a Platelet-Enriched Fraction Identifies an Inflammatory and Immune-Related Signature Associated with Non-Response to Treatment with Plasma Rich in Growth Factors in Knee Osteoarthritis",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:21:45Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7hrq6dstqghfb",
  "venue": "Biomolecules",
  "versions": []
}