An improvement in the attaching capability of cryopreserved human hepatocytes by a proteinaceous high molecule, sericin, in the serum-free solution

Cell Transplant. 2010;19(6):701-6. doi: 10.3727/096368910X508799. Epub 2010 Jun 3.

Abstract

The methodology of cryopreservation of human hepatocytes remains unsatisfactory. Even when the viability of thawed cells is tolerable, the cells often lose the attaching capability to a culture dish, resulting in the cells' inability to survive. Previously, we described the effectiveness of maltose on the attachment of hepatocytes. This article demonstrates that a silk-derived high molecular protein, sericin, improves the cell-attaching capability in the serum-free freezing medium. When human hepatocytes [initial viability: 60.9 ± 3.1% (mean ± SD, n = 3)] were frozen with serum-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) containing 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), the viability was 29.4 ± 3.2% and the cell-attaching capability 20.4 ± 4.1%. On the other hand, DMEM containing 10% DMSO and 1% sericin increased the values to 45.0 ± 0.8% and 26.2 ± 3.2%. Moreover, the addition of 0.1 mol/L maltose to the sericin-containing medium improved to 42.2 ± 3.2% and 51.1 ± 1.0%, as we demonstrated in a previous report. The present results indicated that sericin combined with maltose is a novel additive in the serum-free freezing medium for human hepatocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cryopreservation / methods*
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Female
  • Freezing
  • Hepatocytes / cytology*
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Phase-Contrast
  • Middle Aged
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Sericins / pharmacology*
  • Solutions

Substances

  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Sericins
  • Solutions