1
|
Comizzoli P, Amelkina O, Lee PC. Damages and stress responses in sperm cells and other germplasms during dehydration and storage at nonfreezing temperatures for fertility preservation. Mol Reprod Dev 2022; 89:565-578. [PMID: 36370428 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Long-term preservation of sperm, oocytes, and gonadal tissues at ambient temperatures has the potential to lower the costs and simplify biobanking in human reproductive medicine, as well as for the management of animal populations. Over the past decades, different dehydration protocols and long-term storage solutions at nonfreezing temperatures have been explored, mainly for mammalian sperm cells. Oocytes and gonadal tissues are more challenging to dehydrate so little to no progress have been made. Currently, the detrimental effects of the drying process itself are better characterized than the impact of long-term storage at nonfreezing temperatures. While structural and functional properties of germ cells can be preserved after dehydration, a long list of damages and stresses in nuclei, organelles, and cytoplasmic membranes have been reported and sometimes mitigated. Characterizing those damages and better understanding the response of germ cells and tissues to the stress of dehydration is fundamental. It will contribute to the development of optimal protocols while proving the safety of alternative storage options for fertility preservation. The objective of this review is to (1) document the types of damages and stress responses, as well as their mitigation in cells dried with different techniques, and (2) propose new research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Veterinary Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Olga Amelkina
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Veterinary Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Pei-Chih Lee
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Veterinary Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Young MA, Furr DP, McKeough RQ, Elliott GD, Trammell SR. Light-assisted drying for anhydrous preservation of biological samples: optical characterization of the trehalose preservation matrix. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 11:801-816. [PMID: 32133224 PMCID: PMC7041451 DOI: 10.1364/boe.376630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based drugs have been developed to treat a variety of conditions and assays use immobilized capture proteins for disease detection. Freeze-drying is currently the standard for the preservation of proteins, but this method is expensive and requires lengthy processing times. Anhydrous preservation in a trehalose amorphous solid matrix offers a promising alternative to freeze-drying. Light assisted drying (LAD) is a processing method to create an amorphous trehalose matrix. Proteins suspended in a trehalose solution are dehydrated using near-infrared laser light. The laser radiation accelerates drying and as water is removed the trehalose forms a protective matrix. In this work, LAD samples are characterized to determine the crystallization kinetics of the trehalose after LAD processing and the distribution of amorphous trehalose in the samples. These characteristics influence the long-term stability of the samples. Polarized light imaging revealed that LAD processed samples are stable against crystallization during low-humidity storage at room temperature. Scanning white light interferometry and Raman spectroscopy indicated that trehalose was present across samples in an amorphous form. In addition, differential scanning microcalorimetry was used to measure the thermodynamic characteristics of the protein lysozyme after LAD processing. These results demonstrate that LAD does not change the properties of this protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madison A. Young
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Physics and Optical Science, Charlotte, NC 28226, USA
| | - Daniel P. Furr
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Physics and Optical Science, Charlotte, NC 28226, USA
| | - Riley Q. McKeough
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Physics and Optical Science, Charlotte, NC 28226, USA
| | - Gloria D. Elliott
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Charlotte, NC 28226, USA
| | - Susan R. Trammell
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Physics and Optical Science, Charlotte, NC 28226, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Exploring dry storage as an alternative biobanking strategy inspired by Nature. Theriogenology 2019; 126:17-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
4
|
Young M, Antczak A, Wawak A, Elliott G, Trammell S. Light-assisted drying for protein stabilization. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2018; 23:1-8. [PMID: 30022643 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.23.7.075007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A light-based processing method to create an amorphous trehalose matrix for the stabilization of proteins is discussed. This method has potential applications in the stabilization of protein-based therapeutics and diagnostics. During light-assisted drying (LAD), proteins suspended in a trehalose solution are dehydrated using near-infrared (NIR) laser light. The goal of this study was to determine processing parameters that resulted in fast processing times and low end moisture contents (EMC), while maintaining the functionality of embedded proteins. We compared the effect of changing processing wavelength, power and resulting sample temperature, and substrate material on the EMC for two NIR laser sources (1064 and 1850 nm). The 1850-nm laser resulted in the lowest EMC (0.03 ± 0.01 gH2O / gDryWeight) after 20 min of processing on glass microfiber paper. This suggests a storage temperature of 68.3°C. We also tested the functionality of a model protein, lysozyme, after LAD processing using a standard assay. LAD showed no significant effect on the functionality of lysozyme when processed at a maximum temperature of ∼44 ° C to an EMC of 0.17 ± 0.06 gH2O / gDryWeight. LAD is a promising technique for forming amorphous trehalose solids that could stabilize proteins at ambient temperatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madison Young
- The Univ. of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States
| | | | - Amanda Wawak
- The Univ. of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abazari A, Chakraborty N, Hand S, Aksan A, Toner M. A Raman microspectroscopy study of water and trehalose in spin-dried cells. Biophys J 2015; 107:2253-62. [PMID: 25418294 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term storage of desiccated nucleated mammalian cells at ambient temperature may be accomplished in a stable glassy state, which can be achieved by removal of water from the biological sample in the presence of glass-forming agents including trehalose. The stability of the glass may be compromised due to a nonuniform distribution of residual water and trehalose within and around the desiccated cells. Thus, quantification of water and trehalose contents at the single-cell level is critical for predicting the glass formation and stability for dry storage. Using Raman microspectroscopy, we estimated the trehalose and residual water contents in the microenvironment of spin-dried cells. Individual cells with or without intracellular trehalose were embedded in a solid thin layer of extracellular trehalose after spin-drying. We found strong evidence suggesting that the residual water was bound at a 2:1 water/trehalose molar ratio in both the extracellular and intracellular milieus. Other than the water associated with trehalose, we did not find any more residual water in the spin-dried sample, intra- or extracellularly. The extracellular trehalose film exhibited characteristics of an amorphous state with a glass transition temperature of ?22°C. The intracellular milieu also dried to levels suitable for glass formation at room temperature. These findings demonstrate a method for quantification of water and trehalose in desiccated specimens using confocal Raman microspectroscopy. This approach has broad use in desiccation studies to carefully investigate the relationship of water and trehalose content and distribution with the tolerance to drying in mammalian cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Abazari
- The Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nilay Chakraborty
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan
| | - Steven Hand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Alptekin Aksan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mehmet Toner
- The Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cellemme SL, Van Vorst M, Paramore E, Elliott GD. Advancing microwave technology for dehydration processing of biologics. Biopreserv Biobank 2015; 11:278-84. [PMID: 24835259 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2013.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Our prior work has shown that microwave processing can be effective as a method for dehydrating cell-based suspensions in preparation for anhydrous storage, yielding homogenous samples with predictable and reproducible drying times. In the current work an optimized microwave-based drying process was developed that expands upon this previous proof-of-concept. Utilization of a commercial microwave (CEM SAM 255, Matthews, NC) enabled continuous drying at variable low power settings. A new turntable was manufactured from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE; Grainger, Lake Forest, IL) to provide for drying of up to 12 samples at a time. The new process enabled rapid and simultaneous drying of multiple samples in containment devices suitable for long-term storage and aseptic rehydration of the sample. To determine sample repeatability and consistency of drying within the microwave cavity, a concentration series of aqueous trehalose solutions were dried for specific intervals and water content assessed using Karl Fischer Titration at the end of each processing period. Samples were dried on Whatman S-14 conjugate release filters (Whatman, Maidestone, UK), a glass fiber membrane used currently in clinical laboratories. The filters were cut to size for use in a 13 mm Swinnex(®) syringe filter holder (Millipore(™), Billerica, MA). Samples of 40 μL volume could be dehydrated to the equilibrium moisture content by continuous processing at 20% with excellent sample-to-sample repeatability. The microwave-assisted procedure enabled high throughput, repeatable drying of multiple samples, in a manner easily adaptable for drying a wide array of biological samples. Depending on the tolerance for sample heating, the drying time can be altered by changing the power level of the microwave unit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Cellemme
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Charlotte, North Carolina
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Develop to term rat oocytes injected with heat-dried sperm heads. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78260. [PMID: 24223784 PMCID: PMC3817241 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the development of rat oocytes in vitro and in vivo following intracytoplasmic injection of heads from spermatozoa heat-dried at 50°C for 8 h and stored at 4°C in different gas phases. Sperm membrane and chromosome are damaged by the process of heat-drying. Oocyte activation and cleavage of oocytes were worse in oocytes injected with spermatozoa heat-dried and stored for 1 week than unheated, fresh spermatozoa, but in heat-dried spermatozoa, there were no differences in these abilities of oocytes between the samples stored in nitrogen gas and in air. The oocytes injected with heat-dried spermatozoa stored for 1 week could develop to the morula and blastocyst stages without difference between the samples stored in nitrogen gas and in air after artificial stimulation. Cleavage of oocytes and development of cleaved embryos were higher when heat-dried spermatozoa were stored for 3 and 6 months in nitrogen gas than in air. However, the ability of injected oocytes to develop to the morula and blastocyst stages was not inhibited even when heat-dried spermatozoa stored in both atmosphere conditions for as long as 6 months were used. When 2-cell embryos derived from oocytes injected with heads from spermatozoa heat-dried and stored for 1 week and 1 month were transferred, each 1 of 4 recipients was conceived, and the conceived recipients delivered 1 live young each. These results demonstrate that rat oocytes can be fertilized with heat-dried spermatozoa and that the fertilized oocytes can develop to term.
Collapse
|
8
|
Albertini DF, McGinnis LK. A catalyst for change in reproductive science: John D. Biggers as a mentor’s mentor. J Assist Reprod Genet 2013; 30:979-94. [PMID: 24077825 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-013-0096-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|
9
|
Lechene CP, Lee GY, Poczatek JC, Toner M, Biggers JD. 3D multi-isotope imaging mass spectrometry reveals penetration of 18O-trehalose in mouse sperm nucleus. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42267. [PMID: 22952592 PMCID: PMC3428319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of genetically engineered mice in medical research has led to ever increasing storage costs. Trehalose has a significant beneficial effect in preserving the developmental potential of mouse sperm following partial desiccation and storage at temperatures above freezing. Using multi-isotope imaging mass spectrometry, we are able to image and measure trehalose in individual spermatozoa. We provide the first evidence that trehalose penetrates the nucleus of a mammalian cell, permitting tolerance to desiccation. These results have broad implications for long-term storage of mammalian cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claude P Lechene
- National Resource for Imaging Mass Spectrometry, Division of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Liu J, Lee GY, Lawitts JA, Toner M, Biggers JD. Preservation of mouse sperm by convective drying and storing in 3-O-methyl-D-glucose. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29924. [PMID: 22272261 PMCID: PMC3260178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
With the fast advancement in the genetics and bio-medical fields, the vast number of valuable transgenic and rare genetic mouse models need to be preserved. Preservation of mouse sperm by convective drying and subsequent storing at above freezing temperatures could dramatically reduce the cost and facilitate shipping. Mouse sperm were convectively dried under nitrogen gas in the Na-EGTA solution containing 100 mmol/L 3-O-methyl-D-glucose and stored in LiCl sorption jars (Relative Humidity, RH, 12%) at 4°C and 22°C for up to one year. The functionality of these sperm samples after storage was tested by intracytoplasmic injection into mouse oocytes. The percentages of blastocysts produced from sperm stored at 4°C for 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months were 62.6%, 53.4%, 39.6%, 33.3%, and 30.4%, respectively, while those stored at 22°C for 1, 2, and 3 months were 28.8%, 26.6%, and 12.2%, respectively. Transfer of 38 two- to four-cell embryos from sperm stored at 4°C for 1 year produced two live pups while 59 two- to four-cell embryos from sperm stored at 22°C for 3 months also produced two live pups. Although all the pups looked healthy at 3 weeks of age, normality of offspring produced using convectively dried sperm needs further investigation. The percentages of blastocyst from sperm stored in the higher relative humidity conditions of NaBr and MgCl(2) jars and driest condition of P(2)O(5) jars at 4°C and 22°C were all lower. A simple method of mouse sperm preservation is demonstrated. Three-O-methyl-D-glucose, a metabolically inactive derivative of glucose, offers significant protection for dried mouse sperm at above freezing temperatures without the need for poration of cell membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Klooster KL, Burruel VR, Meyers SA. Loss of fertilization potential of desiccated rhesus macaque spermatozoa following prolonged storage. Cryobiology 2011; 62:161-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2011.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2010] [Revised: 02/03/2011] [Accepted: 02/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
12
|
Kusakabe H. Chromosomal integrity and DNA damage in freeze-dried spermatozoa. Reprod Med Biol 2011; 10:199-210. [PMID: 29699095 DOI: 10.1007/s12522-011-0092-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Freeze-drying technology may one day be used to preserve mammalian spermatozoa indefinitely without cryopreservation. Freeze-dried mouse spermatozoa stored below 4°C for up to 1 year have maintained the ability to fertilize oocytes and support normal development. The maximum storage period for spermatozoa increases at lower storage temperatures. Freeze-drying, per se, may reduce the integrity of chromosomes in freeze-dried mouse spermatozoa, but induction of chromosomal damage is suppressed if spermatozoa are incubated with divalent cation chelating agents prior to freeze-drying. Nevertheless, chromosomal damage does accumulate in spermatozoa stored at temperatures above 4°C. Currently, no established methods or strategies can prevent or reduce damage accumulation, and damage accumulation during storage is a serious obstacle to advances in freeze-drying technology. Chromosomal integrity of freeze-dried human spermatozoa have roughly background levels of chromosomal damage after storage at 4°C for 1 month, but whether these spermatozoa can produce healthy newborns is unknown. The safety of using freeze-dried human spermatozoa must be evaluated based on the risks of heritable chromosome and DNA damage that accumulates during storage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Kusakabe
- Department of Biological Sciences Asahikawa Medical University 2-1-1-1 Midorigaoka-higashi 078-8510 Asahikawa Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
|