Cryopreservation of early postmitotic neuronal cells in culture.
BACKGROUND
The application is in the field of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and the cryopreservation of neuronal cells in culture.


OBJECTIVE
It aims at establishing conditions for the cryopreservation of cultured neuronal cells readily usable, upon thawing. That is cryopreserved neuronal cells with a high rate of survivability and with a potential to differentiate into mature neuronal cells rapidly, after thawing.


METHODS
Neuronal precursor cells and neuronal cells were generated in vitro, from cultures of human ESCs (hESCs). Neuronal cells were frozen and cryopreserved at a stage when they begin to express neuronal class III beta-tubulin.


CONCLUSIONS
The application claims that neuronal cells elicit a rate of survivability greater than 50% and neurites outgrowth within 10 to 14 hours, after thawing. The cryopreservation of post-mitotic neuronal or neural-like cells provides a source of nerve cells readily usable for research and therapy.
Dublin City University, School of Biotechnology, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland. philippe.taupin@dcu.ie
Philippe
P
Taupin
D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells; D006801:Humans; D008938:Mitosis; D009474:Neurons; D010330:Patents as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism
C498585:TUBB3 protein, human; D014404:Tubulin