Optimization of slow cooling cryopreservation for human pluripotent stem cells

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have the potential for unlimited expansion and differentiation into cell types of all three germ layers. Cryopreservation is a key process for successful application of hPSCs. However, the current conventional method leads to poor recovery of hPSCs after thawing. Here, we demonstrate a highly efficient recovery method for hPSC cryopreservation by slow freezing and single-cell dissociation. After confirming hPSC survivability after freeze-thawing, we found that hPSCs that were freeze-thawed as colonies showed markedly decreased survival, whereas freeze-thawed single hPSCs retained the majority of their viability. These observations indicated that hPSCs should be cryopreserved as single cells. Freeze-thawed single hPSCs efficiently adhered and survived in the absence of a ROCK inhibitor by optimization of the seeding density. The high recovery rate enabled conventional colony passaging for subculture within 3 days post-thawing. The improved method was also adapted to a xeno-free culture system. Moreover, the cell recovery postcryopreservation was highly supported by coating culture surfaces with human laminin-521 that promotes adhesion of dissociated single hPSCs. This simplified but highly efficient cryopreservation method allows easy handling of cells and bulk storage of high-quality hPSCs.