Macrophage-based co-cultures are used to test the immunomodulatory function of candidate cells for clinical use. This study aimed to characterize a macrophage polarization model using human platelet lysate (hPL) as a GMP-compliant alternative to Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). Primary human monocytes were differentiated into unpolarized (M0) or polarized (M1, M2a, and M2c) macrophages in an hPL- or FBS-based medium. The protein secretion profiles and expression of phenotypic markers (CD80 for M1, CD206 for M2a, and CD163 for M2c) were analyzed. Subsequently, chondrocytes were tested in an hPL-based co-culture model to assess their immunomodulatory function in view of their possible use in patients with osteoarthritis. The results showed similar marker regulation between hPL and FBS cultures, but lower basal levels of CD206 and CD163 in hPL-cultured macrophages. Functional co-culture experiments with chondrocytes revealed increased CD206 expression both in hPL and in FBS, indicating an interaction between macrophages and chondrocytes. While markers in FBS-cultured macrophages were confirmed in hPL-cultured cells, the interpretation of marker modulation in immunomodulatory assays with hPL-based cultures should be carried out cautiously due to the observed differences in the basal marker levels for CD206 and CD163. This research underscores the utility of hPL as a GMP-compliant alternative to FBS for macrophage-based co-cultures and highlights the importance of understanding marker expressions in different culture conditions.
