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Cryopreservation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells at the Optimal Stage
Published on: November 3, 2023
Cryopreservation of human embryonic stem cell lines
Charles J Hunt1, Paula M Timmons
1UK Stem Cell Bank, Division of Cell Biology and Imaging, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, UK.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|December 18, 2007
Summary
Cryopreservation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) uses vitrification or slow cooling. Vitrification suits colony-cultured hESCs, while slow cooling is better for enzymatically dissociated cells. Neither is clinically ready without changes.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Cryobiology
Background:
- Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are crucial for regenerative medicine.
- Effective cryopreservation is vital for hESC banking and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare two cryopreservation methods for hESCs: vitrification and conventional slow cooling/rapid warming.
- To assess the suitability of these methods for research and potential clinical applications.
Main Methods:
- Vitrification method for manually subcultured, colony-derived hESCs.
- Conventional slow cooling/rapid warming for enzymatically dissociated hESCs.
Main Results:
- Vitrification is suitable for hESCs cultured as discrete colonies.
- Conventional slow cooling/rapid warming is more convenient for enzymatically dissociated hESCs.
- Both methods require modification for clinical use.
Conclusions:
- The choice of cryopreservation method depends on the hESC subculturing technique.
- Current methods are adequate for research but not yet for clinical applications of hESCs.
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