Efficient procedure for human adipose tissue cryopreservation without specialized freezing equipment

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering
• Cryobiology

Background:

• Adipose tissue grafting is a key reconstructive technique for damaged tissue repair.
• Effective cryopreservation is crucial for maintaining the viability and functionality of adipose tissue grafts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, equipment-free method for cryopreserving human adipose tissue.
• To identify optimal cryoprotective agents for preserving adipose tissue structure and function.

Main Methods:

• Human adipose tissues were cryopreserved using various cryoprotectant combinations at -20°C for up to 9 months.
• Evaluated parameters included histo-morphological characteristics, mitochondrial activity, oil ratio, and stem cell potential.
• Cooling rate was maintained at -1°C per minute.

Main Results:

• The optimal cryopreservation solution was 0.5 M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) + 9% fetal bovine serum (FBS) + 0.2 M trehalose, significantly reducing freezing damage.
• This combination maintained the highest mitochondrial activity in thawed adipose tissues compared to other methods.
• No significant differences were observed in the stemness and differentiation potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells across different cryopreservation treatments.

Conclusions:

• A cryopreservation solution of 0.5 M DMSO, 9% FBS, and 0.2 M trehalose provides superior protection for human adipose tissue.
• This method offers a practical approach for adipose tissue cryopreservation without specialized equipment.
• The findings support the use of this combination for preserving adipose tissue viability for reconstructive purposes.