Cord Blood as a Trophic-Growth Additive for Culture Work

The review analyzes the results of modern high-tech research on the use of umbilical cord blood serum (plasma) as an additive to culture media for growing cell cultures. Since culture media are a key factor in cell culture, this review examines the composition and properties of the main culture media used in cell biology and regenerative medicine. The authors paid special attention to growth factors; the functional characteristics of the main families of these polypeptides are described (fibroblast growth factors, epidermal growth factors, transforming growth factors, growth differentiation, epidermal growth factors, endothelial cell growth factors, hematopoietic growth factors, etc.). It has been noted that one of the promising sources of growth factors is umbilical cord blood serum (plasma). The review presents the main technologies for obtaining umbilical cord blood, as well as systematizing studies reflecting the content of growth factors, cytokines, exosomes, and mRNA in umbilical cord blood; experimental data on the use of umbilical cord blood serum as an additive to culture media for growing various cultures of animal cells are described. Human cord blood serum, compared to animal sources, is an affordable, safe product containing high levels of bioactive molecules. For its widespread introduction as an additive to culture media, it is necessary to develop standards for the production and testing of this product.