Cryopreservation of human embryonic stem cells with a new bulk vitrification method

Biol Reprod. 2010 May;82(5):848-53. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.109.080713. Epub 2010 Jan 14.

Abstract

To increase the manipulation efficiency and storage capability of vitrified human embryonic stem cells, a new bulk vitrification method was established using transformed cryovials. This method vitrified a large number of cell clumps, as opposed to those cryopreserved by a slow-freezing method with conventional cryovials at one time (round). After warming, vitrified human embryonic stem cells exhibited a much higher survival rate than the slow-freezing cells. The vitrified stem cells continued to express markers of pluripotency and formed teratomas in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency, confirming the pluripotency of vitrified-warmed human embryonic stem cell clumps. The new bulk vitrification method is superior to and more practical than the open pulled straw vitrification method and the slow-freezing method for the cryopreservation of human embryonic stem cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival
  • Cryopreservation / instrumentation
  • Cryopreservation / methods*
  • Embryo Research
  • Embryonic Stem Cells*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms, Experimental
  • Teratoma