Improved cryopreservation outcome is facilitated by an intracellular-type medium and inhibition of apoptosis

A new concept in cryopreservation solution design was developed that focuses on the use of an intracellular-type, hypothermic maintenance medium coupled with additives that inhibit cryopreservation-induced apoptosis. HypoThermosol(R) (HTS), a hypothermic (4°C) maintenance medium utilized in the long term storage of cell, tissue, and organ systems, was tested for cryoprotective capability on a renal cell line (MDCK). The authors conclude that (1.) The use of HTS without DMSO can yield post-thaw viability equivalent to that of standard DMSO-based cryopreservation methods; (2.) Post-thaw viability can be significantly increased through the use of an intracellular-type solution in conjunction with DMSO; (3.) The use of HypoThermosol(R) allows for cryopreservation to be accomplished with reduced levels of cryoprotectants; and (4.) The regulation of apoptosis is essential to the improvement of cryopreservation outcome