Comparison of the effect of platelet lysate derived from umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood on the expansion and differentiation of MSCs

Proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in culture media requires the presence of nutrient supplements such as bovine fetal serum (FBS), which increases the risk of prion/xenotic infections. Platelet lysates as a rich source of growth factors and cytokines can replace FBS in cell culture medium. This study aimed to compare the effect of platelet lysates derived from cord blood and peripheral blood on the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs.

In this experimental study, human MSCs were isolated from placental tissue and identified by flow-cytometry. 3 Three platelet bags were collected and platelet lysates were prepared by repeated freezing/thawing method. MSCs were cultured in different media and evaluated for their differentiation capacity, cultured in osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation media with Alizarin Red and Oil Red-O staining. TGF-β levels were assessed by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS22 software and One-Way ANOVA statistical test.

The proliferation rate of MSCs in media containing Cord/Peripheral Blood Lysate (CBL or PBL) was not significantly different from that of media containing 5% FBS. Also, the rate of proliferation in the medium containing CBL plus cord blood serum was not significantly different from the medium containing 10% FBS. Also, the ability of MSCs’ differentiation into osteocytes and adipocytes in media containing CBL or PBL was well preserved.

Platelet lysates can be a suitable alternative to animal serum in cell culture medium. In addition to the growth and proliferation of MSCs, these factors maintain the ability to differentiate into osteocytes and adipocytes in environments containing these factors.