Quality assessment of a serum and xenofree medium for the expansion of human GMP-grade mesenchymal stromal cells

Cell-based therapies are emerging as a viable modality to treat challenging diseases, resulting in an increasing demand for their large-scale, high-quality production. Production facilities face the issue of batch-to-batch consistency while producing a safe and efficient cell-based product. Controlling culture conditions and particularly media composition is a key factor of success in this challenge. Serum and Xeno-Free Media (SXFM) represent an interesting option to achieve this goal. By reducing batch to batch variability, they increase Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-compliance and safety regarding xenogenic transmission, as compared to fetal bovine serum (FBS) supplemented-media or human platelet lysate supplemented medium.

The use of MSC-Brew GMP Medium can therefore be considered for clinical bioprocesses as a safe and efficient substitute for hCPL media.

In this study, the isolation, expansion and characteristics including the anti-inflammatory function of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are compared after culture in MEMα supplemented with human Concentrate Platelet Lysate (hCPL, reference medium) or in MSC-Brew GMP Medium. The latter is a GMP SXFM manufactured in bags under strictly controlled conditions in volumes suitable for expansion to a clinical scale and does not require neither pre-coating of the cell culture units nor the addition of blood derivatives at the isolation step.

We showed that MSC derived from human bone-marrow and adipose tissue can be successfully isolated and expanded in this SXFM. Number and size of Colony-Forming Unit fibroblast (CFU-F) is increased compared to cells cultivated in hCPL medium. All cells retained a CD90+, CD73+, CD105+, HLADR-, CD34-, CD45- phenotype. Furthermore, the osteogenic and adipocyte potentials as well as the anti-inflammatory activity were comparable between culture conditions. All cells reached the release criteria established in our production facility to treat inflammatory pathologies. Conclusions: The use of MSC-Brew GMP Medium can therefore be considered for clinical bioprocesses as a safe and efficient substitute for hCPL media.