This invention provides a
cell growth medium comprising (a) a
human platelet lysate free of
solid matter greater than 0.22 μm in
diameter, wherein the lysate constitutes from 2% to 15% of the total volume of the
cell growth medium; (b) a human
fresh frozen plasma (FFP) filtrate free of
solid matter greater than 0.22 μm in
diameter, wherein the FFP filtrate constitutes from 1% to 10% of the total volume of the
cell growth medium; (c)
heparin at a concentration of from 0 U / ml to 10 U / ml of the
cell growth medium; (d) L-
glutamine at a concentration of from 0.5 mM to 10 mM; and (e) a serum-free,
low glucose medium suitable for
mammalian cell growth, wherein the serum-free,
low glucose medium constitutes from 75% to 97% of the total volume of the
cell growth medium, and may contain the L-
glutamine of part (d); wherein the
cell growth medium permits the expansion of human CD34− stem cells and wherein the resulting expanded CD34− stem cells retain the ability to differentiate. This invention also provides related cell growth medium supplements, a sterile
human platelet lysate and human
fresh frozen plasma (FFP) filtrate, kits, CD34−
stem cell-containing compositions, and related production and
cell expansion methods.