Objective: The diverse clinical applications for human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs)
in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine warrant increased focus on developing
adequate culture supplements devoid of animal-derived products. In the
present study, we have investigated the feasibility of umbilical cord blood-platelet
lysate (UCB-PL) as a standard substitute for fetal bovine serum (FBS) and human
peripheral blood-PL (PB-PL).
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, platelet concentrates (PC) from UCB
and human PB donors were frozen, melted, and sterilized to obtain PL. Quality control
included platelet cell counts, sterility testing (viral and microbial), total protein concentrations,
growth factor levels, and PL stability. The effects of UCB-PL and PB-PL on hMSCs
proliferation and differentiation into osteocytes, chondrocytes, and adipocytes were studied
and the results compared with FBS.
Results: UCB-PL contained high levels of protein content, platelet-derived growth factor-
AB (PDGF-AB), and transforming growth factor (TGF) compared to PB-PL. All growth
factors were stable for at least nine months post-storage at -70˚C. hMSCs proliferation
enhanced following treatment with UCB-PL. With all three supplements, hMSCs could
differentiate into all three lineages.
Conclusion: PB-PL and UCB-PL both were potent in hMSCs proliferation. However, PB
promoted osteoblastic differentiation and UCB-PL induced chondrogenic differentiation.
Because of availability, ease of use and feasible standardization of UCB-PL, we have suggested
that UCB-PL be used as an alternative to FBS and PB-PL for the cultivation and
expansion of hMSCs in cellular therapy