DEVELOPMENT OF A DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE – FREE CELLULAR PRESERVATION TECHNIQUE FOR HUMAN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

Abstract

As the use of living human cells as the therapeutic component of modern drugs becomes more prevalent, the need to store and transport those cells is increasing. Currently the most common methods for maintaining these living cells for extend periods of time, months or years, is through cryopreservation at ultra low temperatures requiring the use of possibly toxic and cellular damaging chemicals. This study examines alternatives to the use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and subzero temperature storage. Two different DMSO-free solutions, using materials already prevalent in the medical industry, were tested and shown to be viable alternative cryopreservation solutions. A method of freeze-drying (lyophilizing) and rehydrating living cells was tested, and shown to be reproducible, but resulted in alterations to the cells that prevented continued culture. Though not conclusive, the data here demonstrate that solutions and methods of long-term storage of living cellular material without the use of DMSO is possible, and storage at or near room temperature may be promising.