Effectiveness of gelatin solidification for unfrozen preservation and transportation of astrocytes

Nobuko Ishibashi, Shinichi Sotome, Kazuyuki Nakajima, Akio Shimizu

Department of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Engineering, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan.
Department of Environmental Engineering for Symbiosis, Faculty of Engineering, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/abc.2012.23029                

Abstract

We herein studied a non-cryogenic cell preservation and transportation method. We found that astrocytes can be preserved in an unfrozen state at 4℃ (without medium exchange), while maintaining good condition in comparison with cryopreservation for the periods of 5 - 7 days. The gelatin solidification method can also prevent decreases in survival rate by preventing damage to astrocytes during transportation. Therefore, the gelatin solidification method at 4℃ may be a useful choice for short-term preservation and transportation.

Keywords

Cell preservation; Gelatin; Astrocytes; Unfrozen Preservation; Transportation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Acker, J.P., Elliott, J.A.W. and McGann, L.E. (2001) Intercellular ice propagation: Experimental evidence for ice growth through membrane pores. Biophyicals Journal, 81, 1389-1397. doi:10.1016/S0006-3495(01)75794-3
[2]	Acker, J.P. and McGann, L.E. (2002) Innocuous intracellular ice improves the survival of frozen cells. Cell Transplant, 11, 563-571.
[3]	Mazur, P. (1984) Freezing of living cells: Mechanisms and implications. American Journal of Physiology, 247, C125-C147.
[4]	David, P.E. (1976) Long-term preservation of cells and tissues: A review. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 29, 271- 285. doi:10.1136/jcp.29.4.271
[5]	Acker, J.P. and McGann, L.E. (2003) Protective effect of intracellular ice during freezing? Cryobiology, 46, 197- 202. doi:10.1016/S0011-2240(03)00025-7
[6]	Hubálek, Z. (2003) Protectants used in the cryopreservation of microorganisms. Cryobiology, 46, 205-229. doi:10.1016/S0011-2240(03)00046-4
[7]	Lozina-Lozinsk, L.K. (1965) Survival of some insects and cells following intracellular ice formation. Federation proceedings, 15, S206-S211.
[8]	McGann, L.E. (1978) Differing actions of penetrating and nonpenetrating cryoprotective agents. Cryobiology, 15, 382-390. doi:10.1016/0011-2240(78)90056-1
[9]	Odintsova, N., Kiselev. K., Sanina, N. and Kostetsky, E. (2001) Cryopreservation of primary cell cultures of marine invertebrates. CryoLetters, 22, 299-310.
[10]	Baust, J.M., Buskirk, R.V. and Baust, J.G. (2000) Cell viability improves following inhibition of cryopreservation-induced apoptosis. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology—Animal, 36, 262-270. doi:10.1290/1071-2690(2000)036<0262:CVIFIO>2.0.CO;2
[11]	Paynter, S., Cooper, A., Thomas, N. and Fuller, B. (1996) Cryopreservation of multicellular embryos and tissues. In: Karow, A. and Critser, J., Eds., Reproductive Tissue Banking, Academic Press, New York, 1997.
[12]	Polge. C., Smith, A.U. and Parkes, A.S. (1949) Revival of spermatozoa after vitrification and dehydration at low temperatures. Nature, 164, 666. doi:10.1038/164666a0
[13]	Frankland, J.C., Latter, P.M. and Poskitt, J.M. (1995) A laboratory guide to solid microbiology: Some general principles and practice. Medewood Research and Development Paper, 115, 1-79.
[14]	Kim, N.S. and Kim, S.J. (1991) Isolation and cultivation of microvascular endothelial cells from rat lungs: Effects of gelatin substratum and serum. Yonsei Medical Journal, 32, 303-314.
[15]	Araque, A., Parpura, V., Sanzgiri, R.P. and Haydon, P.G. (1999) Tripartite synapses: Glia, the unacknowledged partner. Trends in Neurosciences, 22, 208-215. doi:10.1016/S0166-2236(98)01349-6
[16]	Kolb, B and Whishaw, I.Q. (2008) Fundamentals of human neuropsychology. 6th Edition, Worth, New York.