Biopolym. Cell. 2026; 42(3):182-193.
https://doi.org/10.7124/bc.000BB9
Molecular and Cell Biotechnologies
A comparative analysis of extracellular vesicle production by mesenchymal stem cells of different tissue origins under serum-free culture conditions
1, 2Khmelnytska Y. M., 1Pykhtieiev D. M., 1Melnyk A. S., 1Yuriev B. V., 2Kordium V. A., 1Gumeniuk M. I.
  1. Biotechnology Laboratory of the Bank of Umbilical Cord Blood,
    Tissues and Other Human Cells BU "Reocell"
    10, Amosova Str., Kyiv, Ukraine 03141
  2. Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine
    150, Akademika Zabolotnoho Str., Kyiv, Ukraine, 03143

Abstract

Introduction. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a source of biologically active secretions containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) that possess regenerative and immunomodulatory potential, but their characteristics depend on MSC origin and culture conditions. Methods. MSCs derived from adipose tissue (AD-MSCs), umbilical cord (UCMSCs), menstrual blood (EN-MSCs), and neural crest-derived tissues (NC-MSCs) were cultured in serum-free medium for 8 days. EV concentration and size were assessed by flow cytometry. Total protein, IL-6, TGF-β1, VEGF, and M-CSF were measured in EV-depleted conditioned medium. CD9, CD63, and CD81 expression was assessed immunocytochemically. Results. All MSC cultures maintained high viability (>97%). UC-MSCs showed the highest EV production (89,7 × 109 vesicles/mL; 4,62 × 105 vesicles/cell), followed by EN-MSCs, AD-MSCs, and NCMSCs. EVs of 40–80 nm predominated in all samples. UC-MSCs showed elevated IL-6 and TGF-β1 levels, whereas AD-MSCs showed higher VEGF and M-CSF levels. Total protein concentration did not correlate with the number of EVs. Conclusions. Growth factors produced by MSCs mediate paracrine effects, but their characteristics depend on the cell source. UC-MSCs are the most effective source for large-scale production of EVs, whereas ADMSCs offer advantages for angiogenic and immunomodulatory applications. These results support rational selection of MSC sources depending on the intended EV application.
Keywords: mesenchymal stem cells, extracellular vesicles, serum-free culture, secretome
Full text: (PDF, in English)

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