Cryoprotection of human bone marrow committed stem cells (CFU-c) by dextran, glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide

Dextran, glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), alone or in combination, were used for cryoprotection of human bone marrow cells. The viability of cryopreserved cells was assessed by culture of myelopoiesis-committed stem cells (CFU-c) in vitro. A significantly better protection against freezing injury was obtained by 9% dextran in combination with 3 or 5% DMSO, and also with 5 or 10% DMSO alone, than with either 15% glycerol or 9% dextran with 1% DMSO.