Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Cryopreservation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells at the Optimal Stage
Published on: November 3, 2023
Comparison of three methods for cryopreservation of human embryonic stem cells
Yang Li1, Ji-Chun Tan, Ling-Song Li
1Stem Cell Research Center and Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100083, People's Republic of China.
Objective:
To establish reliable methods for cryopreservation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).
Design:
Prospective experimental study.
Setting:
University laboratory.
Patient(S):
One hESC line.
Intervention(S):
The attachment rates and recovery rates of cryopreserved hESCs using three different cryopreservation methods were compared.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
The hESCs were frozen and thawed by conventional cryopreservation, programmable cryopreservation, and vitrification method. The efficiency of cryopreservation was assessed by attachment rate and recovery rate.
Result(S):
The attachment rate and recovery rate after thawing of hESCs frozen by the conventional cryopreservation method were significantly lower than those of hESCs frozen by programmed cryopreservation and vitrification methods. Vitrification resulted in the highest attachment rate and recovery rate compared with the other two methods. Human ESCs after vitrification and programmable cryopreservation still expressed pluripotent markers, maintained normal karyotype, and retained their pluripotency.
Conclusion(S):
Our data show that programmable cryopreservation and vitrification methods are appropriate for cryopreservation of hESCs, whereas the conventional slow-rate freezing method is not appropriate for cryopreservation of hESCs.
