Impact of different formulations of platelet lysate on proliferative and immune profile of equine mesenchymal stromal cells.
Authors: Yaneselli Kevin, Ávila Gimena, Rossi Andrea, Rial Analía, Castro Sabrina, Estradé María José, Suárez Gonzalo, Algorta Agustina
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Platelet lysate (PL) has emerged as a promising serum-free alternative for culturing equine mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in regenerative medicine applications, yet the immunological consequences of this substitution remain poorly characterised. Researchers compared equine adipose-derived MSCs cultured in medium-concentration and high-concentration PL formulations against standard fetal bovine serum (FBS), evaluating proliferative capacity, differentiation potential, and immune profiles across seven donor samples. Both PL formulations sustained cell growth, clonogenicity, and multipotent differentiation capabilities equivalent to FBS whilst delivering substantially higher concentrations of growth factors (TGF-β and PDGF)—findings that suggest superior nutritional support for cell expansion. A critical distinction emerged in the immunomodulatory profile: high-concentration PL triggered elevated secretion of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α cytokines compared to medium-concentration PL and FBS controls, although gene expression and surface antigen patterns remained broadly comparable across all conditions. For practitioners using autologous or allogeneic MSC therapies, these results indicate that whilst PL successfully maintains cell viability and potency, the heightened inflammatory cytokine environment in high-concentration formulations may alter the immunomodulatory properties that make MSCs therapeutically valuable, warranting careful consideration of which PL concentration best aligns with clinical objectives for individual treatment protocols.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Platelet lysate is a viable alternative to fetal bovine serum for culturing equine MSCs in research and therapeutic cell preparation, maintaining cell quality and multipotency
- •High-concentration platelet lysate formulations enhance growth factor availability, potentially improving MSC expansion for clinical applications
- •The elevated inflammatory cytokine profile in HPL-cultured cells warrants consideration when selecting formulations for therapeutic use, as immune response characteristics may differ from FBS-expanded cells
Key Findings
- •Both platelet lysate formulations (MPL and HPL) supported equine MSC proliferation, clonogenic capacity, and multipotentiality comparable to fetal bovine serum control
- •High-concentration platelet lysate (HPL) produced 6.5-fold higher platelet counts and elevated growth factors (TGF-β and PDGF) compared to baseline plasma
- •HPL media demonstrated higher IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α cytokine concentrations in culture supernatant compared to MPL and FBS control, indicating altered immunomodulatory profile