Human platelet lysate as additive for Wharton's Jelly-MSC culture

This application note presents the results obtained during a study performed to evaluate the use of human Platelet Lysates (hPL) as an alternative to Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) in culture media for Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC).

Since decades, the supplementation of cell culture media with Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is a well-accepted routine practice in cell culture. FBS provides hormones, cytokines, growth factors and attachment factors that are required for growth and proliferation of cells in vitro. However, FBS is a cocktail of undefined qualitative
and quantitative composition with an animal origin.

During the last years, human Platelet Lysates (hPL) have been proven a valuable xeno-free alternative to FBS in culture media for cells, including Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). hPL is generated from human platelets by disruption of the platelet membrane after repeated freeze and thaw cycles. The plasma components of hPL require addition of anticoagulants such as heparin to prevent gelatinisation of hPL medium.

hPL is a powerful alternative to FBS for MSCs propagation by increasing proliferation rates and cell densities, with a good viability and phenotype stability.