A hemocompatible cryoprotectant inspired by freezing-tolerant plants

Publication date: Available online 19 December 2018Source: Colloids and Surfaces B: BiointerfacesAuthor(s): Jing Yang, Xiaojie Sui, Chiyu Wen, Chao Pan, Yingnan Zhu, Jiamin Zhang, Lei ZhangAbstractCryopreservation can extend the storage time of red blood cells (RBCs) for even decades, offering a promising solution to blood waste and shortage caused by routinely used hypothermic preservation method (~42 days). Currently, organic solvents such as glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide are the state-of-the-art cryoprotectants (CPAs). However, severe RBC hemolysis induced by solvent CPA removal has raised serious concerns and has been the bottleneck problem for RBC cryopreservation. Here, inspired by freezing-tolerant plants, we reported a natural zwitterionic betaine-based approach for effective RBC cryopreservation without the need of any organic solvent. Using a time-consuming ultrarapid freezing protocol, post-thaw RBC integrity rate of ~80% could be achieved. Most importantly, RBC integrity was not affected during betaine removal, indicating its hemocompatibility. Mechanistically, we presented that betaine could inhibit ice formation and recrystallization during freeze-thaw cycle to protect cells from ice injury; moreover, betaine probably could be promptly taken up and released by cells to prevent them from osmotic injury. This approach provides an attractive solution for long-distance/long-term RBC transport and storage, and may benefit current cryopreservation technologies to sup...

Source: Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces - December 25, 2018 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research