Umbilical cord stem cells transforming into a tree of life with platelets.

Umbilical Cord Stem Cells: Can Platelet-Rich Plasma Boost Their Potential?

Avery Sinclair in Science & Nature June 2025 • 3 min read.

"Discover how platelet-rich plasma (PRP) could revolutionize stem cell cryopreservation, offering a safer, more effective alternative to traditional methods."

Stem cells, with their remarkable ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types, hold immense promise for regenerative medicine. Among the most promising sources are umbilical cord stem cells, easily collected and ethically sound, offering a wealth of potential for treating various diseases.

Cryopreservation, the process of preserving cells at ultra-low temperatures, is essential for banking and utilizing these stem cells. However, the traditional method often relies on fetal bovine serum (FBS), a supplement known to introduce foreign proteins that can trigger immune responses and other complications.

The search for safer, 'xeno-free' alternatives has led researchers to explore platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a concentrate of platelets in plasma rich in growth factors and albumin. This article delves into a study comparing PRP to FBS in cryopreservation, examining its impact on the viability, morphology, and proliferation of human umbilical cord stem cells.

PRP vs. FBS: A Stem Cell Showdown

Umbilical cord stem cells transforming into a tree of life with platelets.

A detailed in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of PRP as a supplement in cryopreservation media, comparing it directly against the conventional FBS. Stem cells were harvested from umbilical cords using the explant method and carefully cultured until sufficient quantities were obtained for cryopreservation.

The cryopreservation process involved eight distinct protocols, each varying in supplement type (PRP or FBS), supplement concentration (10% or 40%), and cell concentration. These variations were meticulously tested to determine the optimal conditions for preserving stem cell quality.

Viability: No significant difference was observed in cell viability between the PRP and FBS supplemented groups.
Morphology: Both groups exhibited similar, healthy cell morphology post-thawing.
Cell Size & Proliferation: The PRP-supplemented medium demonstrated superior performance in maintaining cell size and promoting proliferation.

These findings suggest that PRP not only matches FBS in preserving cell viability and morphology but may also offer advantages in promoting cell growth and maintaining cell size, crucial factors for successful stem cell therapies.

The Future of Stem Cell Preservation

The study indicates that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a viable and potentially superior alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the cryopreservation of human umbilical cord stem cells. By mitigating the risks associated with xenoproteins, PRP offers a safer, more effective approach to stem cell banking, bringing us closer to realizing the full potential of regenerative medicine.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is the significance of umbilical cord stem cells in regenerative medicine?

Umbilical cord stem cells are highly valued in regenerative medicine due to their ability to differentiate into various cell types and their ethical sourcing. These cells offer significant potential for treating a range of diseases, making them a crucial area of research and application in the field. Their easy collection and ethical procurement add to their appeal, making them a preferred choice for therapeutic applications.

Why is cryopreservation important for stem cells, and what are the traditional methods?

Cryopreservation is essential for preserving stem cells for future use, enabling long-term storage and availability for therapies. Traditional methods often involve fetal bovine serum (FBS) to protect cells during freezing and thawing. However, FBS can introduce foreign proteins, triggering immune responses and other complications, hence the search for safer alternatives.

How does platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compare to fetal bovine serum (FBS) in cryopreserving human umbilical cord stem cells?

In studies, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has shown promise as a safer alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) for cryopreserving human umbilical cord stem cells. While both PRP and FBS maintained cell viability and morphology, PRP-supplemented media demonstrated superior performance in maintaining cell size and promoting proliferation. This suggests PRP can mitigate the risks associated with xenoproteins present in FBS, potentially leading to better stem cell therapies.

What are the key advantages of using PRP in stem cell cryopreservation?

The key advantages of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in stem cell cryopreservation include its potential to eliminate the risks associated with fetal bovine serum (FBS), such as immune responses caused by xenoproteins. PRP also appears to promote cell growth and maintain cell size better than FBS, which are crucial factors for successful stem cell therapies. This positions PRP as a safer and potentially more effective method for banking and utilizing human umbilical cord stem cells.

What specific cell characteristics were evaluated when comparing PRP and FBS in cryopreservation, and what were the findings?

The study compared PRP and FBS across several key cell characteristics. These include viability, morphology, and cell size & proliferation. The findings showed no significant difference in cell viability between PRP and FBS. Both groups exhibited similar, healthy cell morphology post-thawing. However, the PRP-supplemented medium demonstrated superior performance in maintaining cell size and promoting proliferation, indicating a potential advantage over FBS in preserving the quality of human umbilical cord stem cells.