DMSO-free chemically defined cryopreservation of human mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes

Serum- and xeno-free cryopreservation is suitable for cells to be used in clinical applications. However, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is often used in conventional cryoprotectant medium, has been shown to be toxic to many cell types and can induce morphological and gene expression changes that can lead to changes in cell function when they are cultured. In order to evaluate this issue in depth, we examined the efficiency of a DMSO-free/serum-free/xeno-free chemically defined cryoprotectant media, STEM-CELLBANKER DMSO-Free, when culturing human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and chondrocytes. Interestingly, the cells cryopreserved in STEM-CELLBANKER DMSO-Free had a similar growth rate, morphology, and global gene expression profile compared to that observed for cells preserved in conventional freezing medium, which contains 10% DMSO and 20% fetal bovine serum. From these data, we therefore propose that STEM-CELLBANKER DMSO-Free may be an effective tool for maintaining the cellular characteristics of MSCs and chondrocytes during cryo-storage prior to clinical application. Gene expressions in human mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes were measured after freezing and thawing in several kinds of cryopreservation media.