Platelet-rich fibrin(PRF) has many advantages, such as easy preparation with no anticoagulant, no ethical controversy, and no blood cross-infection. Moreover, its three-dimensional structure makes PRF more solid and stable than platelet-rich plasma. PRF serves as a natural inducer of angiogenesis, and its structure provides natural support for immune responses. PRF can influence the metabolism of epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Leukocytes within PRF have important functions in resistance to infection and promotion of the tissue healing process by releasing high mass fractions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β, 4, 6, tumor necrosis factor α, and vascular endothelial growth factor. PRF exhibits good properties of osteoinduction, which is used to assist maxillary sinus lift surgery in immediate implantation, and has beneficial effects on bone mineral density and bone increment. PRF is conducive to the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and differentiation into osteoblasts during the early phase. PRF can induce human osteoblasts to secrete osteogenesis-related organic matrix, promote bone formation induced by osteoblasts, and inhibit osteoclast activation. This paper reviews the cytokine composition and macrobiological functions of PRF, such as osteoinduction, soft tissue repair promotion, angiogenesis, and anti-infection activities.
