An optimised method for cryopreservation of human hepatocytes

Successful cryopreservation of hepatocytes is essential for their use in hepatocyte transplantation. Cryopreservation allows hepatocytes to be available for emergency treatment of acute liver failure and also for planned treatment of liver-based metabolic disorders. In addition, cryopreservation of human hepatocytes can facilitate their use in metabolism and toxicity studies. Cryopreservation can adversely affect the viability and function, especially reduce the attachment efficiency, of hepatocytes on thawing.The cryopreservation process can be divided into steps so that improvements can be made on the 'standard' protocols that are followed in some laboratories. These steps are as follows: pre-incubation of cells; freezing solution, cryoprotectants and cytoprotectants; freezing process; storage; thawing; post-thawing culture. This chapter presents an optimised protocol for cryopreservation of human hepatocytes as developed at King's College Hospital.