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Tan J, Jia S, Xu Q, Lin C, Cao Y, Shen J, Han S, Li Z, Zhou X. Hydrogel encapsulation facilitates a low-concentration cryoprotectant for cryopreservation of mouse testicular tissue. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 242:114096. [PMID: 39053031 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.114096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Cryopreserved testicular tissue offers a promising method to restore fertility in male infertility patients. Current protocols rely on high concentrations of penetrating cryoprotectants (pCPAs), such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which necessitating complex washing procedures and posing risks of toxicity. Hydrogel encapsulation presents a non-toxic alternative for cellular cryopreservation. This study investigates the effects of various types, concentrations, and thicknesses of hydrogel encapsulation on the cryopreservation of mouse testicular tissue. Testicular tissues loaded with varying concentrations of DMSO were encapsulated in alginate or gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels. We evaluated hydrogels as potential CPAs to reduce pCPA concentrations and determine optimal combinations for cryopreservation. Post-cryopreservation, tissues were cultured using organ culture methods to assess spermatogenesis progression. Cryomicroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to examine ice crystal formation, melting enthalpy, and non-freezing water content in different hydrogels during cooling. Results indicate that 3 % alginate or 5 % GelMA hydrogel with thin encapsulation optimally preserves mouse testicular tissue. Using 20 % DMSO in 5 % GelMA thin encapsulation showed comparable apoptosis rates, improved morphology, higher mitochondrial activity, and enhanced antioxidant capacity compared to conventional 30 % DMSO without encapsulation. This suggests that hydrogel encapsulation reduces pCPA concentration by 10 %, thereby mitigating toxic damage. Hydrogel encapsulation can reduce basement membrane shrinkage of testicular tissue during cryopreservation. Moreover, frozen tissues remained viable with preserved germ cells after being cultured for one week on alginate methacryloyl (AlgMA) hydrogel using the gas-liquid interphase method. Cryomicroscopy and DSC studies confirmed the hydrogel's ability to inhibit ice crystal growth. In conclusion, this study introduces novel strategies for male fertility preservation and advances cryopreservation technology for clinical applications in assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Tan
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Shuqin Jia
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Chunyan Lin
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Yukun Cao
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Sha Han
- Department of Andrology, the Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, the Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xinli Zhou
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai 200093, China; Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai 200093, China.
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2
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Ortiz Silva NA, Denis S, Vergnaud J, Hillaireau H. Controlled hydrogel-based encapsulation of macrophages determines cell survival and functionality upon cryopreservation. Int J Pharm 2024; 650:123491. [PMID: 37806508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of novel cell-based therapies has increased the necessity to improve the long-term storage of cells. The current method of cryopreservation is far from optimal, causing ice-associated mechanical and osmotic damage to sensitive cells. Cell encapsulation is emerging as a new strategy to overcome those current limitations; however, few data are applicable to slow freezing, with conflicting results and multiple experimental conditions. The objective of this research work was to evaluate the impact of capsule size and encapsulation method on cell survival and functionality after a conventional freezing protocol. To this end, cells were encapsulated in alginate beads of different sizes, spanning the range of 200-2000 µm thanks to multiple extrusion techniques and conditions, and further cryopreserved using a slow cooling rate (-1°C/min) and 10 % DMSO as cryoprotectant. Our data show that there is a strong correlation between bead size and cell survival after a slow cooling cryopreservation process, with cell viabilities ranging from 7 to 70 % depending on the capsule size, with the smallest capsules (230 µm) achieving the highest level of survival. The obtained results indicate that the beads' diameter, rather than their morphology or the technique used, plays a significant role in the post-thawing cell survival and functionality. These results show that a fine control of cell encapsulation in alginate hydrogels is required when it comes to overcoming the current limitations of long-term preservation techniques by slow cooling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stéphanie Denis
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Juliette Vergnaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Hervé Hillaireau
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France.
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Wang X, Wang E, Zhao G. Advanced cryopreservation engineering strategies: the critical step to utilize stem cell products. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 12:28. [PMID: 37528321 PMCID: PMC10393932 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-023-00173-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid development of stem cell-related therapies and regenerative medicine, the clinical application of stem cell products is on the rise. However, ensuring the effectiveness of these products after storage and transportation remains a challenge in the transformation to clinical trials. Cryopreservation technology allows for the long-term storage of cells while ensuring viability, making it a top priority for stem cell preservation. The field of cryopreservation-related engineering technologies is thriving, and this review provides an overview of the background and basic principles of cryopreservation. It then delves into the main bioengineering technologies and strategies used in cryopreservation, including photothermal and electromagnetic rewarming, microencapsulation, and synergetic ice inhibition. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects in the field of efficient cryopreservation of stem cells are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohu Wang
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Enyu Wang
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
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Wu X, Qiu Y, Chen C, Gao Y, Wang Y, Yao F, Zhang H, Li J. Polysaccharide-Derived Ice Recrystallization Inhibitors with a Modular Design: The Case of Dextran-Based Graft Polymers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:14097-14108. [PMID: 36342971 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ice recrystallization inhibitors inspired from antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are receiving increasing interest for cryobiology and other extreme environment applications. Here, we present a modular strategy to develop polysaccharide-derived biomimetics, and detailed studies were performed in the case of dextran. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) which has been termed as one of the most potent biomimetics of AFPs was grafted onto dextran via thiol-ene click chemistry (Dex-g-PVA). This demonstrated that Dex-g-PVA is effective in IRI and its activity increases with the degree of polymerization (DP) (sizes of ice crystals were 18.846 ± 1.759 and 9.700 ± 1.920 μm with DPs of 30 and 80, respectively) and fraction of PVA. By means of the dynamic ice shaping (DIS) assay, Dex-g-PVA is found to engage on the ice crystal surfaces, thus the ice affinity accounts for their IRI activity. In addition, Dex- g-PVA displayed enhanced IRI activity compared to that of equivalent PVA alone. We speculate that the hydrophilic nature of dextran would derive PVA in a stretch conformation that favors ice binding. The modular design can not only offer polysaccharides IRI activity but also favor the ice-binding behavior of PVA.
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Arav A. Cryopreservation by Directional Freezing and Vitrification Focusing on Large Tissues and Organs. Cells 2022; 11:1072. [PMID: 35406636 PMCID: PMC8997870 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The cryopreservation of cells has been in routine use for decades. However, despite the extensive research in the field, cryopreservation of large tissues and organs is still experimental. The present review highlights the major studies of directional freezing and vitrification of large tissues and whole organs and describes the different parameters that impact the success rate of large tissue and organ cryopreservation. Key factors, such as mass and heat transfer, cryoprotectant toxicity, nucleation, crystal growth, and chilling injury, which all have a significant influence on whole-organ cryopreservation outcomes, are reviewed. In addition, an overview of the principles of directional freezing and vitrification is given and the manners in which cryopreservation impacts large tissues and organs are described in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Arav
- A.A Cash Technology, 59 Shlomzion Hamalca, Tel Aviv 62266, Israel
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Wu X, Yao F, Zhang H, Li J. Antifreeze proteins and their biomimetics for cell cryopreservation: Mechanism, function and application-A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 192:1276-1291. [PMID: 34634336 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.09.211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cell-based therapy is a promising technology for intractable diseases and health care applications, in which cryopreservation has become an essential procedure to realize the production of therapeutic cells. Ice recrystallization is the major factor that affects the post-thaw viability of cells. As a typical series of biomacromolecules with ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) activity, antifreeze proteins (AFPs) have been employed in cell cryopreservation. Meanwhile, synthesized materials with IRI activity have emerged in the name of biomimetics of AFPs to expand their availability and practicality. However, fabrication of AFPs mimetics is in a chaotic period. There remains little commonality among different AFPs mimetics, then it is difficult to set guidelines on their design. With no doubt, a comprehensive understanding on the antifreezing mechanism of AFPs in molecular level will enable us to rebuild the function of AFPs, and provide convenience to clarify the relationship between structure and function of these early stage biomimetics. In this review, we would discuss those previously reported biomimetics to summarize their structure characteristics concerning the IRI activity and attempt to develop a roadmap for guiding the design of novel AFPs mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Wu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Fanglian Yao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology, Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology, Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Junjie Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology, Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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Dou M, Lu C, Rao W. Bioinspired materials and technology for advanced cryopreservation. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 40:93-106. [PMID: 34238601 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation can help to meet the demand for biosamples of high medical value. However, it remains difficult to effectively cryopreserve some sensitive cells, tissues, and reproductive organs. A coordinated effort from the perspective of the whole frozen biological system is necessary to advance cryopreservation technology. Animals that survive in cold temperatures, such as hibernators and cold-tolerant insects, offer excellent natural models. Their anti-cold strategies, such as programmed suppression of metabolism and the synthesis of cryoprotectants (CPAs), warrant systematic study. Furthermore, the discovery and synthesis of metabolism-regulating and cryoprotective biomaterials, combined with biotechnological breakthroughs, can also promote the development of cryopreservation. Further advances in the quality and duration of biosample storage inspired by nature will promote the application of cryopreserved biosamples in clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjia Dou
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Chennan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wei Rao
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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8
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Cheepa FF, Zhao G, Panhwar F, Memon K. Controlled Release of Cryoprotectants by Near-Infrared Irradiation for Improved Cell Cryopreservation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:2520-2529. [PMID: 34028256 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation is essential to store living cells and tissues for future use while maintaining the proper levels of cell functions. The use of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) to inhibit intracellular ice formation during cryopreservation is vital for cell survival, but the addition and removal of CPAs and ice recrystallization during rewarming will cause fatal injury to cells. The conventional CPA loading and unloading methods generate osmotic shocks and cause mechanical injury to biological samples, and the conventional method of rewarming using a water bath also leads to ice recrystallization and devitrification. A new CPA-loaded microparticle-based method for loading and photothermal rewarming under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation was proposed to overcome these difficulties. We have successfully achieved the controlled release of CPAs (2 M EG, 2 M PG, and 0.5 M trehalose) with a graphene oxide (GO, 0.04% w/v) core from a 1.5% (w/v) sodium alginate shell to the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) within 60 s using NIR laser irradiation (808 nm Lasever at 5000 mW/cm2) and successfully recovered the CPA-loaded cells with 0.04% (w/v) GO in 8-10 s using the same NIR irradiation. The results show that this method achieved 25% higher viability of HUVECs compared to the conventional method. In short, this study proposes a new approach for achieving controlled CPA loading to cells with a photothermal-induced strategy for cell cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faryal Farooq Cheepa
- Department of Electronic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Electronic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Fazil Panhwar
- Department of Electronic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Kashan Memon
- Department of Electronic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
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Li C, Liu J, Wu Q, Chen X, Ding W. Alginate core–shell microcapsule reduces the DMSO addition-induced osmotic damage to cells by inhibiting cellular blebs. Chin J Chem Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2020.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Chang T, Zhao G. Ice Inhibition for Cryopreservation: Materials, Strategies, and Challenges. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2002425. [PMID: 33747720 PMCID: PMC7967093 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202002425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Cryopreservation technology has developed into a fundamental and important supporting method for biomedical applications such as cell-based therapeutics, tissue engineering, assisted reproduction, and vaccine storage. The formation, growth, and recrystallization of ice crystals are the major limitations in cell/tissue/organ cryopreservation, and cause fatal cryoinjury to cryopreserved biological samples. Flourishing anti-icing materials and strategies can effectively regulate and suppress ice crystals, thus reducing ice damage and promoting cryopreservation efficiency. This review first describes the basic ice cryodamage mechanisms in the cryopreservation process. The recent development of chemical ice-inhibition molecules, including cryoprotectant, antifreeze protein, synthetic polymer, nanomaterial, and hydrogel, and their applications in cryopreservation are summarized. The advanced engineering strategies, including trehalose delivery, cell encapsulation, and bioinspired structure design for ice inhibition, are further discussed. Furthermore, external physical field technologies used for inhibiting ice crystals in both the cooling and thawing processes are systematically reviewed. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives in the field of ice inhibition for high-efficiency cryopreservation are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tie Chang
- Department of Electronic Science and TechnologyUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Electronic Science and TechnologyUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230027China
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