Corning® MSCulture Max™-XF Media Outperforms Serum-Free, Serum-Containing, Xeno-Free, And Animal-Free Alternatives

By Hilary Sherman and Ann Ferrie

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with the potential to differentiate into various tissue lineages, making them vital for many disease treatments. Because millions of MSCs may be required per patient, maximizing cell expansion while maintaining quality is essential. Traditional MSC culture media often introduces challenges like the need for specialized surface coatings or frequent media exchanges, increasing labor, cost, and the risk of contamination.

Corning MSCulture Max-XF media, a xeno-free solution, was tested against serum-free, serum-containing, HPL-containing, and animal-free formulations. In the study, MSCs cultured in MSCulture Max-XF media reached confluence first and yielded statistically higher cell densities than all other tested media, while maintaining high viability and appropriate cell identity markers. Using this media eliminates the need for a surface coating or media exchanges during culture, offering a simplified and more cost-effective method for robust MSC expansion.

Access the application note to see a direct comparison of cell expansion and quality across all five media options.