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Lee PC, Comizzoli P. Microwave-assisted dehydration, long-term storage at non-freezing temperatures, and rehydration of cat germinal vesicles†. Biol Reprod 2024; 111:312-321. [PMID: 38637297 PMCID: PMC11327313 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Germinal vesicles are alternative targets for female fertility preservation due to their availability and high resilience against non-physiological conditions. Preserved germinal vesicles can then be transferred to fresh cytoplasts to reconstitute viable oocytes. Here, we describe a germinal vesicle preservation method that employs non-ionizing microwave radiations imparting energy to water molecules, which results in rapid and homogeneous drying of the sample. Trehalose is added as a xero-protectant before the radiations, enabling isothermal vitrification of the disaccharide sugar during drying. While the technique is still considered experimental, studies have shown that DNA and structural integrity can be effectively maintained in dried/rehydrated germinal vesicles. Importantly, the dry-preservation approach allows supra-zero temperature storage of the samples, offering a cost-effective and energy-saving alternative to traditional methods relying on ultra-low freezing temperatures. The protocol outlines a comprehensive procedure involving germinal vesicle oocyte collection, trehalose loading, microwave drying, storage, and rehydration. The simplicity of the protocol facilitates the ease of manipulation, making it an accessible method for researchers. While initially developed for domestic cats, the protocol can be adapted for other species with necessary modifications, considering potential species-specific responses to dehydration stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chih Lee
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA
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2
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Aquino LVC, Rodrigues LLV, Olindo SL, Silva YLF, Oliveira LRM, Moura YBF, Pereira AF. L-Proline as a Cryoprotective Agent for the Preservation of Galea Spixii Skin Fibroblasts. Biopreserv Biobank 2024. [PMID: 38985578 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2024.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Somatic cell biobanking is a promising strategy for developing reproductive techniques. Although cryopreservation, a technique used for creating biobanks, has been performed on Galea spixii, structural and physiological damage to its cells highlight the need to optimize the cryoprotective solution being used. Therefore, the osmoprotective activity of 5 mM L-proline was evaluated as an alternative cryoprotectant for G. spixii fibroblast conservation. The concentration was defined based on previous studies conducted on mammalian cells. Cells derived from the skin of six individuals were cultured until the fifth passage were cryopreserved under the following treatments: (i) control (non-cryopreserved); (ii) a solution with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO), 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and 0.2 M sucrose; (iii) a solution with 10% Me2SO, 10% FBS, and 5 mM L-proline; and (iv) a solution with 10% Me2SO, 10% FBS, 0.2 M sucrose, and 5 mM L-proline. Tests were conducted to analyze cell morphology, viability, metabolism, proliferation, and apoptosis; reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels; and mitochondrial membrane activity (ΔΨm). A reduction in the number of viable cells (72.3% ± 1.2%) was observed in the sucrose-containing group compared to the control (86.7% ± 2.0%) and L-proline (88.4% ± 1.8% and 87.8% ± 2.1%) groups. After apoptotic analysis, a reduction in the number of viable cells was observed in the group with sucrose alone (74.6% ± 4.1%) compared to the control group (88.2% ± 1.1%). The ROS levels (1.03 ± 0.5 and 1.07 ± 0.5, respectively) and ΔΨm values (0.99 ± 0.42 and 1.22 ± 0.73, respectively) observed in the groups with L-proline were similar to that observed in the control group (1.00 ± 0.5 and 1.00 ± 0.4, respectively). Moreover, no difference was observed between groups for cell morphology, metabolism, or proliferation. Thus, L-proline is a cryoprotectant agent that can be used during G. spixii fibroblast cryopreservation, alone or with sucrose. In addition, we developed an adequate biobank for G. spixii, whereby stored cells could be used for reproductive techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo V C Aquino
- Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Luanna L V Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Samara L Olindo
- Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Yara L F Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Lhara R M Oliveira
- Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Yasmin B F Moura
- Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Alexsandra F Pereira
- Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, Brazil
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Paresishvili T, Kakabadze Z. Freeze-Dried Mesenchymal Stem Cells: From Bench to Bedside. Review. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300155. [PMID: 37990389 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300155] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
This review describes the freeze-dried mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their ability to restore damaged tissues and organs. An analysis of the literature shows that after the lyophilization MSCs retain >80% of paracrine factors and that the mechanism of their action on the restoration of damaged tissues and organs is similar to the mechanism of action of paracrine factors in fresh and cryopreserved mesenchymal stem cells. Based on the own materials, the use of paracrine factors of freeze-dried MSCs in vivo and in vitro for the treatment of various diseases of organs and tissues has shown to be effective. The study also discusses about the advantages and disadvantages of freeze-dried MSCs versus cryopreserved MSCs. However, for the effective use of freeze-dried MSCs in clinical practice, a more detailed study of the mechanism of interaction of paracrine factors of freeze-dried MSCs with target cells and tissues is required. It is also necessary to identify possible other specific paracrine factors of freeze-dried MSCs. In addition, develop new therapeutic strategies for the use of freeze-dried MSCs in regenerative medicine and tissue bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teona Paresishvili
- Department of Clinical Anatomy, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, 0186, Georgia
| | - Zurab Kakabadze
- Department of Clinical Anatomy, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, 0186, Georgia
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Oback B, Cossey DA. Chimaeras, complementation, and controlling the male germline. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1237-1247. [PMID: 37173191 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Animal breeding drives genetic progress mainly through the male germline. This process is slow to respond to rapidly mounting environmental pressures that threaten sustainable food security from animal protein production. New approaches promise to accelerate breeding by producing chimaeras, which comprise sterile host and fertile donor genotypes, to exclusively transmit elite male germlines. Following gene editing to generate sterile host cells, the missing germline can be restored by transplanting either: (i) spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) into the testis; or (ii) embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into early embryos. Here we compare these alternative germline complementation strategies and their impact on agribiotechnology and species conservation. We propose a novel breeding platform that integrates embryo-based complementation with genomic selection, multiplication, and gene modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Oback
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand; School of Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand; School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Daniel A Cossey
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand; School of Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
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Yang LL, Ito D, Ushigome N, Wakayama S, Ooga M, Wakayama T. A novel, simplified method to prepare and preserve freeze-dried mouse sperm in plastic microtubes. J Reprod Dev 2023; 69:198-205. [PMID: 37357399 PMCID: PMC10435530 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-034] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Although freeze-drying sperm can save space, reduce maintenance costs, and facilitate the transportation of genetic samples, the current method requires breakable, custom-made, and expensive glass ampoules. In the present study, we developed a simple and economical method for collecting freeze-dried (FD) sperm using commercially available plastic microtubes. Mouse epididymal sperm suspensions were placed in 1.5 ml polypropylene tubes, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and dried in an acrylic freeze-drying chamber, after which they were closed under a vacuum. The drying duration did not differ between the microtube and glass ampoule methods (control); however, the sperm recovery rate was higher using the microtube method, and the physical damage to the sperm after rehydration was also reduced. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using FD sperm stored in microtubes at -30°C yielded healthy offspring without reducing the success rate, even after 9 months of storage. Air infiltration into all microtubes stored at room temperature (RT) within 2 weeks of storage caused a drastic decrease in the fertilization rate of FD sperm; underwater storage did not prevent air infiltration. RT storage of FD sperm in microtubes for 1 week resulted in healthy offspring after ICSI (5-18%), but the addition of silica gel or CaCl2 did not improve the success rate. Our novel microtube method is currently the simplest and most effective method for treating FD sperm, contributing to the development of alternative low-cost approaches for preserving and transporting genetic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ly Yang
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Daiyu Ito
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Natsuki Ushigome
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Ooga
- Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Azabu University, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
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Lee PC, Stewart S, Amelkina O, Sylvester H, He X, Comizzoli P. Trehalose delivered by cold-responsive nanoparticles improves tolerance of cumulus-oocyte complexes to microwave drying. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:1817-1828. [PMID: 37261586 PMCID: PMC10371938 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02831-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Trehalose is a non-permeable protectant that is the key to preserve live cells in a dry state for potential storage at ambient temperatures. After intracellular trehalose delivery via cold-responsive nanoparticles (CRNPs), the objective was to characterize the tolerance of cat cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) to different levels of microwave-assisted dehydration. METHODS Trehalose was first encapsulated in CRNPs. After exposure to trehalose-laden CRNPs, different water amounts were removed from cat COCs by microwave drying. After each dehydration level, meiotic and developmental competences were evaluated via in vitro maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture. In addition, expressions of critical genes were assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS CRNPs effectively transported trehalose into COCs within 4 h of co-incubation at 38.5 °C followed by a cold-triggered release at 4 °C for 15 min. Intracellular presence of trehalose enabled the maintenance of developmental competence (formation of blastocysts) as well as normal gene expression levels of HSP70 and DNMT1 at dehydration levels reaching up to 63% of water loss. CONCLUSION Intracellular trehalose delivery through CRNPs improves dehydration tolerance of COCs, which opens new options for oocyte storage and fertility preservation at ambient temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chih Lee
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Samantha Stewart
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Olga Amelkina
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Hannah Sylvester
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Xiaoming He
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, D.C., USA.
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Moura MT. Cloning by SCNT: Integrating Technical and Biology-Driven Advances. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2647:1-35. [PMID: 37041327 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3064-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) into enucleated oocytes initiates nuclear reprogramming of lineage-committed cells to totipotency. Pioneer SCNT work culminated with cloned amphibians from tadpoles, while technical and biology-driven advances led to cloned mammals from adult animals. Cloning technology has been addressing fundamental questions in biology, propagating desired genomes, and contributing to the generation of transgenic animals or patient-specific stem cells. Nonetheless, SCNT remains technically complex and cloning efficiency relatively low. Genome-wide technologies revealed barriers to nuclear reprogramming, such as persistent epigenetic marks of somatic origin and reprogramming resistant regions of the genome. To decipher the rare reprogramming events that are compatible with full-term cloned development, it will likely require technical advances for large-scale production of SCNT embryos alongside extensive profiling by single-cell multi-omics. Altogether, cloning by SCNT remains a versatile technology, while further advances should continuously refresh the excitement of its applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Tigre Moura
- Chemical Biology Graduate Program, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Campus Diadema, Diadema - SP, Brazil
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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.
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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
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Yu T, Ao Q, Ao T, Ahmad MA, Wang A, Xu Y, Zhang Z, Zhou Q. Preparation and assessment of an optimized multichannel acellular nerve allograft for peripheral nerve regeneration. Bioeng Transl Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Yu
- The VIP Department, School and Hospital of Stomatology China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Shenyang China
| | - Qiang Ao
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education China Medical University Shenyang China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Control of Tissue Regenerative Biomaterial, Institute of Regulatory Science for Medical Device, National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials Sichuan University Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Tianrang Ao
- Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | | | - Aijun Wang
- Department of Neurological Surgery University of California Davis Sacramento California USA
| | - Yingxi Xu
- Department of Clinical Nutrition Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Zhongti Zhang
- The VIP Department, School and Hospital of Stomatology China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Shenyang China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Shenyang China
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Production of mouse offspring from zygotes fertilized with freeze-dried spermatids. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18430. [PMID: 36319672 PMCID: PMC9626645 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22850-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse cloning by nuclear transfer using freeze-drying (FD) somatic cells is now possible, but the success rate is significantly lower than that of FD spermatozoa. Because spermatozoa, unlike somatic cells, are haploid cells with hardened nuclei due to protamine, the factors responsible for their tolerance to FD treatment remain unclear. In this study, we attempt to produce offspring from FD spermatid, a haploid sperm progenitor cell whose nuclei, like somatic cells, have not yet been replaced by protamine. We developed a method for collecting FD spermatids from testicular suspension. Despite the significantly lower success rate than that of FD spermatozoa, healthy offspring were obtained when FD spermatids were injected into oocytes. Offspring were also obtained from FD spermatids derived from immature male mice that had not yet produced spermatozoa. These results suggest that nuclear protaminization, rather than haploid nuclei, is one of the key processes responsible for tolerance to FD treatment.
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Biomolecular Pathways of Cryoinjuries in Low-Temperature Storage for Mammalian Specimens. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9100545. [PMID: 36290513 PMCID: PMC9598205 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9100545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-temperature preservation could effectively extend in vitro storage of biological materials due to delayed or suspended cellular metabolism and decaying as illustrated by the Arrhenius model. It is widely used as an enabling technology for a variety of biomedical applications such as cell therapeutics, assisted reproductive technologies, organ transplantation, and mRNA medicine. Although the technology to minimize cryoinjuries of mammalian specimens during preservation has been advanced substantially over past decades, mammalian specimens still suffer cryoinjuries under low-temperature conditions. Particularly, the molecular mechanisms underlying cryoinjuries are still evasive, hindering further improvement and development of preservation technologies. In this paper, we systematically recapitulate the molecular cascades of cellular injuries induced by cryopreservation, including apoptosis, necroptosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Therefore, this study not only summarizes the impact of low-temperature preservations on preserved cells and organs on the molecular level, but also provides a molecular basis to reduce cryoinjuries for future exploration of biopreservation methods, materials, and devices.
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