A simple cryopreservation method for the maintenance of cell viability and mechanical integrity of a cultured cartilage analog.
A method for cryopreserving a 100-microm-thick sheet of tissue produced by cultured rabbit chondrocytes has been developed. The method maintains cell viability and avoids tissue fracture and degradation of mechanical properties. A slow-freeze, fast-thaw procedure with 2 M Me(2)SO as the cryoprotectant resulted in no tissue fracture and approximately 90% viable cells after storage in culture flasks at -80 degrees C. The cells in the retrieved tissue remained responsive to IL-1beta, and tensile and fracture toughness properties of the tissue were not degraded by cryopreservation.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
T R
TR
Oegema
L B
LB
Deloria
M M
MM
Fedewa
J C
JC
Bischof
J L
JL
Lewis
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D011817:Rabbits
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide