Cryopreservation and Reconstitution of
Preserved Cell Lines
Abdulrahman MohammedL-2012-V-21-D
Introduction Cryopreservation: Storage of live material at
temperatures so low, that all biological processes are suspended (-196°C) and material does not decompose.
Cryopreservation allows virtually indefinite storage of biological material without deterioration over a time scale of at least several thousands of years.
Techniques are available for the preservation of microorganisms, isolated tissue cells, small multicellular organisms, and even more complex organisms such as embryos.
Introduction cont.….
Cell lines
finite life, senesce after approximately
thirty cycles of division
usually diploid and maintain some
degree of differentiation.
it is essential to establish a system to
maintain such lines for long periods
Benefits Of Freezing Cells
Cryopreservation minimizes:
genetic change
Senescence leading to extinction of cell line
Transformation to tumor related properties
Contamination
Distribution to others
Saving reagents, time
Equipment failure such as incubator
Cross-contamination by other cell lines
CRYOPROTECTANT:
Cryoprotectants (CPs) are macromolecules added tothe freezing medium to protect the cells from thedetrimental effects of intracellular ice crystal formationor from the solution effects, during the process offreezing and thawing.
Solution effects : Forms of injury to cells, cooled slowly enough to prevent damaging intracellular ice crystal formation .
CHARACTERISTICS OF CRYOPROTECTANT:
Higher degree of cell survival during freezing. Lower the freezing point .
Protect cell membrane from freeze-related injury.
High solubility.
Low toxicity at high concentrations .
Low molecular weight .
Ability to interact with water via hydrogen
bonding.
TYPES OF CRYOPROTECTANTS
Permeating CPs: ( INTRACELLULAR)
Non permeating CPs: (EXTRACELLULAR)
MECHANISM OF CRYOPROTECTANTS
Cryoprotectants acts by salt buffering
action (bind water and less ice crystal
formed), gives more time to cell for de-
hydrate and interact with cell membrane
to make it less brittle during freezing.
PERMEATING CPS :
Lower the freezing point of the solution, increase the viscosity and thus reduce diffusion in solutions.
Replace intracellular water to prevent the formation of large ice crystals intracellularly.
Ability to reduce the amount of water which freezes as ice.
Reduce exposure of cell to elevated salt and solute concentration.
Glycerol (GLY), Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO),Propylene glycol (PG), and Ethylene glycol(EG).
NON- PERMEATING CPS: (EXTRACELLULAR)
LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT
It changes the water balance of cells by shrinking cells before
freezing.
Sucrose, Maltose, Trehalose, Sorbitol and Acetamide.
HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT
Closing the cell membrane defect.
Repair damaged cell membrane post
thawing.
Polyvinyl Pyrorolidone (PVP), Dextran, Serum,BSA
Ethylene glycol is preferred cryoprotectant for
cryopreservation of llama embryo.
CRYOPROTECTANT MOLECULAR WEIGHT
Ethylene glycol 62.07
Propylene glycol 76.10
DMSO 78.13
Glycerol 92.10
Theoretical Background Of Cell Freezing
Optimal Cell Freezing Is Characterized By
Maximum number of viable cells upon thawing
Minimum intracellular crystal formation
Minimum formation of foci of high solute concentration
Optimal Freezing Is Accomplished By
Cooling slowly so water escapes
Cooling fast enough to avoid crystal formation
Use hydrophylic cryoprotectant
Storing at lowest possible temperatures
minimize negative effect of solute foci on proteins
Thaw rapidly
minimize crystal growth and solute gradients
High Cell Concentration Seems To Enhance Survival Possibly due to “leakiness” effect from cryogenic damage
Centrifugation is avoided since dilution of cryoprotectant is high when reseeding
Ex. 1 mL of 1x107 cells diluted to 20 mL volume giving a 5x105
cells/mL. If cryoprotectant was 10% it will become 0.5%
Toxicity is unlikely at 0.5%
Residual cryoprotectant can be removed as soon as cells start growing
Freezing Medium DMSO, Glycerol
DMSO used at 5-15%, 10% is common
DMSO should be stored in glass or polypropylene
Can dissolve rubber and some plastics leading to impurities
Many laboratories increase FBS concentration to 40, 50 or 90%
Cell Concentration And Freezing Medium
Optimal Cooling Rate: 1°C/minute
Compromise between fast freezing minimizing crystal formation and slow
allowing for extracellular water migration
Cooling Curve Is Affected By
Ambient temperature
Insulation
Specific heat of ampoule contents, volume of ampoule
latent heat absorption during freezing
Cooling Rate
Insulation During Freezing Use 2 Polystyrene Foam Boxes To Store Vials
This set up provides insulation for 1°C/minute cooling
Place In A –80°C Freezer
Transfer To Liquid Nitrogen After 24 Hrs Or -150°C Freezer
Liquid Nitrogen Is Widely Used To Store Cells Long Term
-196 °C
Several types of liquid nitrogen cryofreezers are available
Use polypropylene cryovials
Resistant to cracking
Some Repositories Prefer Glass
Better properties for long term storage
Labeling Is Very Important
Stored cells can outlive you! Proper labeling is essential
In your label include
Cell type, date and cell number
Use an alcohol resistant marker
Ampoules
Protocol-Suspension Cultures
1. Count the number of viable cells to be cryopreserved. Cells
should be in log phase.
• Centrifuge the cells at ~200 to 400 × g for 5 min to pellet cells. Using a
pipette, remove the supernate down to the smallest volume without
disturbing the cells.
2. Resuspend cells in freezing medium at 1 × 107 to 5 × 107 cells/ml
for serum-containing medium, or 0.5 × 107 to 1 × 107 cells/ml for
serum-free medium.
3. Aliquot into cryogenic storage vials. Place vials on wet ice or in a
4°C refrigerator, and start the freezing procedure within 5 min.
4. Cells are frozen slowly at 1°C/min. This can be done by
programmable coolers or by placing vials in an insulated box in a –70°C to –90°C freezer, then transferring to liquid nitrogen storage.
Protocol-Adherent Cultures
1. Detach cells from the substrate with dissociating agents.
Detach as gently as possible to minimize damage to the cells (see Dissociation of Cells from Culture Vessels).
2. Resuspend the detached cells in complete growth medium and establish the viable cell count.
3. Centrifuge at ~200 × g for 5 min to pellet cells. Using a pipette, withdraw the supernate down to the smallest volume without disturbing the cells.
4. Resuspend the cells in freezing medium at 5 × 106 to 1 × 107 cells/ml.
5. Aliquot into cryogenic storage vials. Place vials on wet ice or in a 4°C refrigerator, and start the freezing procedure within 5 min.
6. Cells are frozen slowly at 1°C/min. This can be done by programmable
coolers or by placing vials in an insulated box in a –70°C to –90°C freezer, then transferring to liquid nitrogen storage.
Thawing Of Cells Should Be Rapid
Water bath @ 37°C
Reason: minimize crystal formation
Spray Vial With Alcohol To Avoid Contamination
Dilution Should Be Done Slowly
DMSO will cause severe osmotic damage if done fast
Most Cells Do Not Require Centrifugation
Some Do Require Centrifugation
Ex. suspension growing cells
Thawing Stored Ampoules
Reconstitution (thawing) of preserved cell lines
Cryopreserved cells are fragile and require gentle
handling. Cryopreserved cells are thawed quickly
and plated directly into complete growth medium.
If cells are particularly sensitive to cryopreservative
(DMSO or glycerol), they are centrifuged to remove
cryopreservative and then plated into complete
growth medium.
The following are suggested procedures for thawing
cryopreserved cells.
A) Direct Plating Method:
1. Remove cells from storage and thaw quickly in a 37°C water bath.
2. Plate cells directly with complete growth medium.
Use 10 to 20 ml of complete growth medium per 1 ml of frozen cells. Perform a viable cell count.
Cell inoculum should be at least 3 × 105 viable cells/ml.
3. Culture cells for 12 to 24 h. Replace medium with fresh complete growth medium to remove the cryopreservative.
Reconstitution (thawing) of preserved cell lines
Reconstitution (thawing) of preserved cell lines
B) Centrifugation Method
1. Remove cells from storage and thaw quickly in a 37°C water
bath.
2. Place 1 to 2 ml of frozen cells in ~25 ml of complete growth
medium. Mix very gently.
3. Centrifuge the cells at ~80 × g for 2 to 3 min.
4. Discard supernatant.
5. Gently resuspend the cells in complete growth medium and
perform a viable cell count.
6. Plate the cells. Cell inoculum should be at least 3 × 105 viable
cells/ml.
Reference
o 1. Freshney, R. I., 1994. Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic
Technique, pages 254-263. (3rd edition); Wiley-Liss, New York.
o 2. Hay, R. J., 1978. Preservation of Cell Culture Stocks in Liquid
Nitrogen, pages 787-790. TCA Manual 4.
o 3. Schroy, C. B., and P. Todd, 1976. A Simple Method for Freezing
and Thawing Cultured Cells, pages 309-310. TCA Manual 2,
Procedure Number 76035.
o 4. Shannon, J. E. and M. L. Macy, 1973. Freezing, Storage, and
recovery of Cell Stocks, pages 712-718. In Tissue Culture: Methods and Applications. P. F. Kruse and M. K. Patterson Jr. Eds. (Academic
Press, New York).
o 5. Waymouth, C. and D. S. Varnum, 1976. Simple Freezing
Procedure for Storage in Serum-free Media of Cultured and Tumor
Cells of Mouse, pages 311-313. TCA Manual 2, Procedure Number 76165.
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