Inside the Platelet Secretome: What Makes PRP Truly Regenerative?

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy has become a go-to regenerative treatment for skin rejuvenation, orthopedic injuries, and hair loss. But what exactly gives PRP its healing power? The answer lies in the platelet secretome —the rich mix of bioactive molecules released by activated platelets. Understanding this secretome is key to unlocking why PRP works and how we can optimize it for different therapeutic goals. What Is the Platelet Secretome? The term “secretome” refers to everything platelets secrete once activated—usually during tissue injury or, in the case of PRP, when calcium chloride or thrombin is added to the preparation. These secreted substances include: Growth factors : such as PDGF, VEGF, TGF-β, EGF, IGF-1, and bFGF Cytokines and chemokines : that modulate inflammation and immune response Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and exosomes: which carry signaling proteins and RNA to distant cells Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) : that remodel tissue structure T...