Effective in vitro expansion of CD40-activated human B lymphocytes in a defined bovine protein-free medium

► Human B lymphocytes can be activated through CD40 in vitro. ► This model is now proposed to generate human B lymphocytes for cellular therapy. ► Most studies are however using medium containing serum. ► Serum is not suitable for such ex vivo applications. ► The efficient expansion of human B lymphocytes in serum free medium is thus an advance for this purpose.