Keep It Cool
Cryopreservation is often been a topic of interest in science fiction where subjects are preserved and revived at a later time. As far-fetched as some of these scenarios may be, the concept of lowering the temperature of living tissues, such as cells, into a point of suspended animation is not only possible but has been the primary means for long-term preservation of tissues and cells.1
In order to maintain the viability of the donor tissue, it cannot be stored with simple cooling or freezing techniques for long periods of time due to the formation of ice crystals, osmotic shock, and membrane damage that occurs during the freezing and thawing process.2 Cells and tissues must be maintained at -136°C or colder to be optimally preserved with their viability intact for very long periods of time. There are a few cells and tissue types that can be stored at higher temperatures around -80°C such as amnion tissue, bone and cartilage. However, in order to preserve the naturally occurring factors found in Wharton’s Jelly, we align with scientific and research standards that specify the use of liquid nitrogen and cryoprotectants as an absolute necessity.3,4,5,6,7,8
Although the temperature in which human cell and tissue products are preserved is important, the methodology deployed in the freezing process is what truly determines the viability of the tissue’s characteristics. If cells or tissues are cooled down too slowly or quickly, various mechanical stresses, such as ice crystals or dehydration, in the cells or tissues can occur which will negatively affect clinical outcomes. The same goes for the use of proper cryoprotectant media, if you do not use the proper amount it can be ineffective or even harm the cells or tissue to be preserved.2,8
Our proprietary cryopreservation process was developed after years of experience using mammalian cells and tissues. The viability of our cryopreserved products has been verified in numerous in-house quality control checks, third-party laboratories, and by peers within the industry.
Our commitment to quality and safety go hand in hand with our endeavor to protect and preserve the products that we develop.
1. Pegg D.E. “Principles of cryopreservation”. Methods Mol Biol. 2007;368:39–57.
2. Karlsson J.O., Toner M. “Long-term storage of tissues by cryopreservation: critical issues”. Biomaterials. 1996;17:243–256.
3. Miyahmoto, T., Ikeuchi, M., Noguchi, H., Hayashi, S., “Long-term Cryopreservation of Human and other Mammalian cells at -80C for 8 years” Cell Medicine Volume 10: 1-7, 2018
4. Hernández-Tapia LG, Fohlerová Z, Žídek J, Alvarez-Perez MA, Čelko L, Kaiser J, Montufar EB. “Effects of Cryopreservation on Cell Metabolic Activity and Function of Biofabricated Structures Laden with Osteoblasts”. Materials (Basel). 2020 Apr 22;13(8):1966.
5. Brockbank, K. G. M. “Essentials of cryobiology.” In Principles of Autologous, Allogeneic, and Cryopreserved Venous Transplantation. (Ed. K. G. M. Brockbank), RG Landes Company, Austin, TX (Medical Intelligence Unit Series) Springer-Verlag, 91-102, 1995.
6. Nishiyama, Y., Iwanami, A., Kohyama, J., Itakura, G., Kawabata, S., Sugai, K., Nishimura, S., Kashiwagi, R., Yasutake, K., Isoda, M., Matsumoto, M., Nakamura, M. and Okano, H. “Safe and efficient method for cryopreservation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem and progenitor cells by a programmed freezer with a magnetic field.” Neuroscience Research Volume 107, June 2016, Pages 20-29
7. K. Imaizumi, N. Nishishita, M. Muramatsu, T. Yamamoto, C. Takenaka, S. Kawamata, K. Kobayashi, S. Nishikawa, T. Akuta “A simple and highly effective method for slow-freezing human pluripotent
8. Nover, Adam B et al. “Long-term storage and preservation of tissue engineered articular cartilage.” Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society vol. 34,1 (2016): 141-8. doi:10.1002/jor.23034