Efficient replacing of fetal bovine serum with human platelet releasate during propagation and differentiation of human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to functional hepatocyte-like cells

Objectives  The aim of this study was to find out substitution effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) with human platelet releasate (HPR) as a major growth factor source during expansion and differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSC) into hepatocytes.
Methods  Propagation and differentiation potential of hBMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells in a medium fortified with HPR instead of FBS were investigated with morphological, cytochemical and molecular experiments.
Results  Multiplex analysis showed that HPR was more efficient than FBS in supporting hBMSC outgrowth. The proliferation rate of MSC in presence of HPR (derived from 10⁹ platelets/ml) was about threefold greater than that of FBS ( P <  0·001). Despite the differences in MTT value, hBMSCs-driven HPR or FBS did not differ in terms of gross morphology, immunophenotype and osteogenic differentiation potential. Hepatic differentiation of hBMSCs was successfully performed in the media enriched with HPR. Immunoreactivity of cells with monoclonal antibodies against for albumin and α-fetoprotein (AFP) was even more positive in hepatocytes differentiated in presence of HPR as compared to that of FBS. The gene expression of albumin, AFP and cytokeratin-18 at mRNA levels in differentiated cells attest to supporting role of HPR in hepatic differentiation media. These findings were further confirmed with greater urea production (approximately twofold) in the culture media of cells differentiated under HPR compared to that in FBS ( P <  0·001).
Conclusion  Human platelet releasate is an efficient and safe substitute for FBS in culture media used for expansion and differentiation of hBMSCs to hepatocyte.