1
|
Nagorska A, Tomás RMF, Tasnim A, Robb NC, Gibson MI. Cryopreserved Kidney Epithelial (Vero) Cell Monolayers for Rapid Viral Quantification, Enabled by a Combination of Macromolecular Cryoprotectants. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:5352-5358. [PMID: 39051654 PMCID: PMC11323000 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Plaque assays quantify the amount of active, replicating virus to study and detect infectious diseases by application of samples to monolayers of cultured cells. Due to the time taken in thawing, propagating, plating, counting, and then conducting the assay, the process can take over a week to gather data. Here, we introduce assay-ready cryopreserved Vero monolayers in multiwell plates, which can be used directly from the freezer with no cell culture to accelerate the process of plaque determination. Standard dimethyl sulfoxide cryopreservation resulted in just 25% recovery, but addition of polyampholytes (macromolecular cryoprotectants) increased post-thaw recovery and viability in 12- and 24-well plate formats. Variability between individual wells was reduced by chemically induced ice nucleation to prevent supercooling. Cryopreserved cells were used to determine influenza viral plaques in just 24 h, matching results from nonfrozen controls. This innovation may accelerate viral detection and quantification and facilitate automation by eliminating extensive cell culturing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Nagorska
- CryoLogyx
Ltd, Venture Centre, University of Warwick
Science Park, Coventry CV4 7EZ, U.K.
| | - Ruben M. F. Tomás
- CryoLogyx
Ltd, Venture Centre, University of Warwick
Science Park, Coventry CV4 7EZ, U.K.
| | - Afifah Tasnim
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Nicole C. Robb
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Matthew I. Gibson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, University of
Manchester, 131 Princess
Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gokaltun A, Asik E, Byrne D, Yarmush ML, Usta OB. Supercooled preservation of cultured primary rat hepatocyte monolayers. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1429412. [PMID: 39076209 PMCID: PMC11284110 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1429412] [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: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Supercooled preservation (SCP) is a technology that involves cooling a substance below its freezing point without initiating ice crystal formation. It is a promising alternative to prolong the preservation time of cells, tissues, engineered tissue products, and organs compared to the current practices of hypothermic storage. Two-dimensional (2D) engineered tissues are extensively used in in vitro research for drug screening and development and investigation of disease progression. Despite their widespread application, there is a lack of research on the SCP of 2D-engineered tissues. In this study, we presented the effects of SCP at -2 and -6°C on primary rat hepatocyte (PRH) monolayers for the first time and compared cell viability and functionality with cold storage (CS, + 4°C). We preserved PRH monolayers in two different commercially available solutions: Hypothermosol-FRS (HTS-FRS) and the University of Wisconsin (UW) with and without supplements (i.e., polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 3-O-Methyl-Α-D-Glucopyranose (3-OMG)). Our findings revealed that UW with and without supplements were inadequate for the short-term preservation of PRH monolayers for both SCP and CS with high viability, functionality, and monolayer integrity. The combination of supplements (PEG and 3-OMG) in the HTS-FRS solution outperformed the other groups and yielded the highest viability and functional capacity. Notably, PRH monolayers exhibited superior viability and functionality when stored at -2°C through SCP for up to 3 days compared to CS. Overall, our results demonstrated that SCP is a feasible approach to improving the short-term preservation of PRH monolayers and enables readily available 2D-engineered tissues to advance in vitro research. Furthermore, our findings provide insights into preservation outcomes across various biological levels, from cells to tissues and organs, contributing to the advancement of bioengineering and biotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aslihan Gokaltun
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Eda Asik
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Delaney Byrne
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Martin L. Yarmush
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - O. Berk Usta
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bieber P, Borduas-Dedekind N. High-speed cryo-microscopy reveals that ice-nucleating proteins of Pseudomonas syringae trigger freezing at hydrophobic interfaces. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn6606. [PMID: 38959312 PMCID: PMC11221516 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn6606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Ice-nucleating proteins (INpro) trigger the freezing of supercooled water droplets relevant to atmospheric, biological, and technological applications. The high ice nucleation activity of INpro isolated from the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae could be linked to the aggregation of proteins at the bacterial membrane or at the air-water interface (AWI) of droplets. Here, we imaged freezing onsets, providing direct evidence of these proposed mechanisms. High-speed cryo-microscopy identified the onset location of freezing in droplets between two protein-repellent glass slides. INpro from sterilized P. syringae (Snomax) statistically favored nucleation at the AWI of the droplets. Removing cellular fragments by filtration or adding surfactants increased the frequency of nucleation events at the AWI. On the other hand, cultivated intact bacteria cells or lipid-free droplets nucleated ice without an affinity to the AWI. Overall, we provide visual evidence that INpro from P. syringae trigger freezing at hydrophobic interfaces, such as the AWI or the bacterial membrane, with important mechanistic implications for applications of INpro.
Collapse
|
4
|
Bissoyi A, Gao Y, Tomás RMF, Kinney NLH, Whale TF, Guo Q, Gibson MI. Cryopreservation and Rapid Recovery of Differentiated Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Cells at Complex Transwell Interfaces Is Enabled by Chemically Induced Ice Nucleation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16. [PMID: 38671549 PMCID: PMC11082836 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Cell-based models, such as organ-on-chips, can replace and inform in vivo (animal) studies for drug discovery, toxicology, and biomedical science, but most cannot be banked "ready to use" as they do not survive conventional cryopreservation with DMSO alone. Here, we demonstrate how macromolecular ice nucleators enable the successful cryopreservation of epithelial intestinal models supported upon the interface of transwells, allowing recovery of function in just 7 days post-thaw directly from the freezer, compared to 21 days from conventional suspension cryopreservation. Caco-2 cells and Caco-2/HT29-MTX cocultures are cryopreserved on transwell inserts, with chemically induced ice nucleation at warmer temperatures resulting in increased cell viability but crucially retaining the complex cellular adhesion on the transwell insert interfaces, which other cryoprotectants do not. Trans-epithelial electrical resistance measurements, confocal microscopy, histology, and whole-cell proteomics demonstrated the rapid recovery of differentiated cell function, including the formation of tight junctions. Lucifer yellow permeability assays confirmed that the barrier functions of the cells were intact. This work will help solve the long-standing problem of transwell tissue barrier model storage, facilitating access to advanced predictive cellular models. This is underpinned by precise control of the nucleation temperature, addressing a crucial biophysical mode of damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akalabya Bissoyi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, University of
Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K.
| | - Yanan Gao
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University
of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Ruben M. F. Tomás
- Cryologyx
Ltd, Venture Centre, University of Warwick
Science Park, Coventry CV4 7EZ, U.K.
| | - Nina L. H. Kinney
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Royal
Botanic Gardens Kew, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TN, U.K.
| | - Thomas F. Whale
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- School
of Earth and Environment, University of
Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Qiongyu Guo
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University
of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Matthew I. Gibson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, University of
Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tomás RMF, Dallman R, Congdon TR, Gibson MI. Cryopreservation of assay-ready hepatocyte monolayers by chemically-induced ice nucleation: preservation of hepatic function and hepatotoxicity screening capabilities. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:7639-7654. [PMID: 37840476 PMCID: PMC10661096 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01046e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Cell culture plays a critical role in biomedical discovery and drug development. Primary hepatocytes and hepatocyte-derived cell lines are especially important cellular models for drug discovery and development. To enable high-throughput screening and ensure consistent cell phenotypes, there is a need for practical and efficient cryopreservation methods for hepatocyte-derived cell lines and primary hepatocytes in an assay-ready format. Cryopreservation of cells as adherent monolayers in 96-well plates presents unique challenges due to low volumes being susceptible to supercooling, leading to low recovery and well-to-well variation. Primary cell cryopreservation is also particularly challenging due to the loss of cell viability and function. In this study, we demonstrate the use of soluble ice nucleator materials (IN) to cryopreserve a hepatic-derived cell line (HepG2) and primary mouse hepatocytes, as adherent monolayers. HepG2 cell recovery was near 100% and ∼75% of primary hepatocytes were recovered 24 hours post-thaw compared to just 10% and 50% with standard 10% DMSO, respectively. Post-thaw assessment showed that cryopreserved HepG2 cells retain membrane integrity, metabolic activity, proliferative capacity and differentiated hepatic functions including urea secretion, cytochrome P450 levels and lipid droplet accumulation. Cryopreserved primary hepatocytes exhibited reduced hepatic functions compared to fresh hepatocytes, but functional levels were similar to commercial suspension-cryopreserved hepatocytes, with the added benefit of being stored in an assay-ready format. In addition, normal cuboidal morphology and minimal membrane damage were observed 24 hours post-thaw. Cryopreserved HepG2 and mouse hepatocytes treated with a panel of pharmaceutically active compounds produced near-identical dose-response curves and EC50 values compared to fresh hepatocytes, confirming the utility of cryopreserved bankable cells in drug metabolism and hepatotoxicity studies. Cryopreserved adherent HepG2 cells and primary hepatocytes in 96 well plates can significantly reduce the time and resource burden associated with routine cell culture and increases the efficiency and productivity of high-throughput drug screening assays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben M F Tomás
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - Robert Dallman
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
| | | | - Matthew I Gibson
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gonzalez-Martinez N, Gibson MI. Post-thaw application of ROCK-inhibitors increases cryopreserved T-cell yield. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:2058-2067. [PMID: 37859712 PMCID: PMC10583820 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00378g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging cell-based therapies such as CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T) cells require cryopreservation to store and deliver intact and viable cells. Conventional cryopreservation formulations use DMSO to mitigate cold-induced damage, but do not address all the biochemical damage mechanisms induced by cold stress, such as programmed cell death (apoptosis). Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCK) are a key component of apoptosis, and their activation contributes to apoptotic blebbing. Here we demonstrate that the ROCK inhibitor fasudil hydrochloride, when supplemented into the thawing medium of T-cells increases the overall yield of healthy cells. Cell yield was highest using 5 or 10% DMSO cryopreservation solutions, with lower DMSO concentrations (2.5%) leading to significant physical damage to the cells. After optimisation, the post-thaw yield of T-cells increased by approximately 20% using this inhibitor, a significant increase in the context of a therapy. Flow cytometry analysis did not show a significant reduction in the relative percentage of cell populations undergoing apoptosis, but there was a small reduction in the 8 hours following thawing. Fasudil also led to a reduction in reactive oxygen species. Addition of fasudil into the cryopreservation solution, followed by dilution (rather than washing) upon thaw also gave a 20% increase in cell yield, demonstrating how this could be deployed in a cell-therapy context, without needing to change clinical thawing routines. Overall, this shows that modulation of post-thaw biochemical pathways which lead to apoptosis (or other degradative pathways) can be effectively targeted as a strategy to increase T-cell yield and function post-thaw.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew I Gibson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Murray A, Kilbride P, Gibson MI. Proline pre-conditioning of Jurkat cells improves recovery after cryopreservation. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1704-1711. [PMID: 37731697 PMCID: PMC10507795 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00274h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapies such as allogenic CAR T-cell therapy, natural killer cell therapy and stem cell transplants must be cryopreserved for transport and storage. This is typically achieved by addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) but the cryoprotectant does not result in 100% cell recovery. New additives or technologies to improve their cryopreservation could have major impact for these emerging therapies. l-Proline is an amino acid osmolyte produced as a cryoprotectant by several organisms such as the codling moth Cydia pomonella and the larvae of the fly Chymomyza costata, and has been found to modulate post-thaw outcomes for several cell lines but has not been studied with Jurkat cells, a T lymphocyte cell line. Here we investigate the effectiveness of l-proline compared to d-proline and l-alanine for the cryopreservation of Jurkat cells. It is shown that 24-hour pre-freezing incubation of Jurkat cells with 200 mM l-proline resulted in a modest increase in cell recovery post-thaw at high cell density, but a larger increase in recovery was observed at the lower cell densities. l-Alanine was as effective as l-proline at lower cell densities, and addition of l-proline to the cryopreservation media (without incubation) had no benefit. The pre-freeze incubation with l-proline led to significant reductions in cell proliferation supporting an intracellular, biochemical, mechanism of action which was shown to be cell-density dependent. Controls with d-proline were found to reduce post-thaw recovery attributed to osmotic stress as d-proline cannot enter the cells. Preliminary analysis of apoptosis/necrosis profiles by flow cytometry indicated that inhibition of apoptosis is not the primary mode of action. Overall, this supports the use of l-proline pre-conditioning to improve T-cell post-thaw recovery without needing any changes to cryopreservation solutions nor methods and hence is simple to implement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Murray
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road CV4 7AL Coventry UK
| | | | - Matthew I Gibson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road CV4 7AL Coventry UK
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road CV4 7AL Coventry UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tan S, Zhou W. Biophysics in Membrane of Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12708. [PMID: 37628887 PMCID: PMC10454615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The membrane of a cell, often compared to a dynamic city border, carries out an intricate dance of controlling entry and exit, guarding the valuable life processes occurring inside [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Songwen Tan
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Wenhu Zhou
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Matthews B, Alsante AN, Brooks SD. Pollen Emissions of Subpollen Particles and Ice Nucleating Particles. ACS EARTH & SPACE CHEMISTRY 2023; 7:1207-1218. [PMID: 38357474 PMCID: PMC10863449 DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Pollen grains significantly contribute to the aerosol population, and levels are predicted to increase in the future. Under humid atmospheric conditions, pollen grains can rupture creating pollen grain fragments referred to as subpollen particles (SPPs) which are dispersed into the atmosphere with wind. In this laboratory study, SPP emission factors were determined for ryegrass, Lolium sp., and giant ragweed,Ambrosia trifida, in terms of the number of SPPs produced per pollen grain and the number of SPPs produced per m2, which were compared to previously measured live oak,Quercus virginiana, emission factors. The SPP emission factors were 4.9 × 1013 ± 4.3 × 1013 SPPs per m2 for ryegrass, 1.3 × 1015 ± 1.1 × 1015 SPPs per m2 for giant ragweed, and 1.1 × 1015 ± 1.6 × 1015 SPPs per m2 for live oak. SPPs and whole pollen grains from these species were evaluated for their ice nucleation efficiency in immersion and contact mode freezing. Measurements of the ice nucleation efficiency indicate that SPPs are weakly effective INPs in immersion mode, but that pollen grains represent a source of moderately efficient INPs in immersion and contact modes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brianna
H. Matthews
- Department
of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Alyssa N. Alsante
- Department
of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Sarah D. Brooks
- Department
of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Murray K, Gao Y, Griffiths CA, Kinney NLH, Guo Q, Gibson MI, Whale TF. Chemically Induced Extracellular Ice Nucleation Reduces Intracellular Ice Formation Enabling 2D and 3D Cellular Cryopreservation. JACS AU 2023; 3:1314-1320. [PMID: 37234117 PMCID: PMC10207112 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
3D cell assemblies such as spheroids reproduce the in vivo state more accurately than traditional 2D cell monolayers and are emerging as tools to reduce or replace animal testing. Current cryopreservation methods are not optimized for complex cell models, hence they are not easily banked and not as widely used as 2D models. Here we use soluble ice nucleating polysaccharides to nucleate extracellular ice and dramatically improve spheroid cryopreservation outcomes. This protects the cells beyond using DMSO alone, and with the major advantage that the nucleators function extracellularly and hence do not need to permeate the 3D cell models. Critical comparison of suspension, 2D and 3D cryopreservation outcomes demonstrated that warm-temperature ice nucleation reduces the formation of (fatal) intracellular ice, and in the case of 2/3D models this reduces propagation of ice between adjacent cells. This demonstrates that extracellular chemical nucleators could revolutionize the banking and deployment of advanced cell models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn
A. Murray
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Yanan Gao
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University
of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Christopher A. Griffiths
- Department
of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Marine Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Turistgatan 5, 453 30 Lysekil, Sweden
| | - Nina L. H. Kinney
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Qiongyu Guo
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University
of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Matthew I. Gibson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas F. Whale
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Daily MI, Whale TF, Kilbride P, Lamb S, John Morris G, Picton HM, Murray BJ. A highly active mineral-based ice nucleating agent supports in situ cell cryopreservation in a high throughput format. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20220682. [PMID: 36751925 PMCID: PMC9905984 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0682] [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] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation of biological matter in microlitre scale volumes of liquid would be useful for a range of applications. At present, it is challenging because small volumes of water tend to supercool, and deep supercooling is known to lead to poor post-thaw cell viability. Here, we show that a mineral ice nucleator can almost eliminate supercooling in 100 µl liquid volumes during cryopreservation. This strategy of eliminating supercooling greatly enhances cell viability relative to cryopreservation protocols with uncontrolled ice nucleation. Using infrared thermography, we demonstrate a direct relationship between the extent of supercooling and post-thaw cell viability. Using a mineral nucleator delivery system, we open the door to the routine cryopreservation of mammalian cells in multiwell plates for applications such as high throughput toxicology testing of pharmaceutical products and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin I. Daily
- Institute of Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Thomas F. Whale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | | | | | | | - Helen M. Picton
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Benjamin J. Murray
- Institute of Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bissoyi A, Tomás RMF, Gao Y, Guo Q, Gibson MI. Cryopreservation of Liver-Cell Spheroids with Macromolecular Cryoprotectants. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:2630-2638. [PMID: 36621888 PMCID: PMC9869333 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c18288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Spheroids are a powerful tool for basic research and to reduce or replace in vivo (animal) studies but are not routinely banked nor shared. Here, we report the successful cryopreservation of hepatocyte spheroids using macromolecular (polyampholyte) cryoprotectants supplemented into dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions. We demonstrate that a polyampholyte significantly increases post-thaw recovery, minimizes membrane damage related to cryo-injury, and remains in the extracellular space making it simple to remove post-thaw. In a model toxicology challenge, the thawed spheroids matched the performance of fresh spheroids. F-actin staining showed that DMSO-only cryopreserved samples had reduced actin polymerization, which the polyampholyte rescued, potentially linked to intracellular ice formation. This work may facilitate access to off-the-shelf and ready-to-use frozen spheroids, without the need for in-house culturing. Readily accessible 3-D cell models may also reduce the number of in vivo experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akalabya Bissoyi
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Ruben M. F. Tomás
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Yanan Gao
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University
of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Qiongyu Guo
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University
of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Matthew I. Gibson
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tomás RMF, Bissoyi A, Congdon TR, Gibson MI. Assay-ready Cryopreserved Cell Monolayers Enabled by Macromolecular Cryoprotectants. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3948-3959. [PMID: 35972897 PMCID: PMC9472225 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Cell monolayers underpin the discovery and screening
of new drugs
and allow for fundamental studies of cell biology and disease. However,
current cryopreservation technologies do not allow cells to be stored
frozen while attached to tissue culture plastic. Hence, cells must
be thawed from suspension, cultured for several days or weeks, and
finally transferred into multiwell plates for the desired application.
This inefficient process consumes significant time handling cells,
rather than conducting biomedical research or other value-adding activities.
Here, we demonstrate that a synthetic macromolecular cryoprotectant
enables the routine, reproducible, and robust cryopreservation of
biomedically important cell monolayers, within industry-standard tissue
culture multiwell plates. The cells are simply thawed with media and
placed in an incubator ready to use within 24 h. Post-thaw cell recovery
values were >80% across three cell lines with low well-to-well
variance.
The cryopreserved cells retained healthy morphology, membrane integrity,
proliferative capacity, and metabolic activity; showed marginal increases
in apoptotic cells; and responded well to a toxicological challenge
using doxorubicin. These discoveries confirm that the cells are “assay-ready”
24 h after thaw. Overall, we show that macromolecular cryoprotectants
can address a long-standing cryobiological challenge and offers the
potential to transform routine cell culture for biomedical discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben M F Tomás
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - Akalabya Bissoyi
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | | | - Matthew I Gibson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.,Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| |
Collapse
|