Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2020, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (23): 3751-3755.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2693

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Vitrification-based cryopreservation of tissues: strengths and existing problems

Zhang Yuan1, Zeng Min2, Zhai Bo1   

  1. 1Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; 2Shanghai Huicun Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201203, China
  • Received:2019-10-26 Revised:2019-10-30 Accepted:2019-12-20 Online:2020-08-18 Published:2020-07-30
  • Contact: Zhai Bo, MD, Chief physician, Professor, Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
  • About author:Zhang Yuan, Master, Physician, Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Vitrification-based cryopreservation is a promising cryopreservation method, which can change the state of the biological materials by using high concentration vitrification reagent to realize active preservation.

OBJECTIVE: To review the biological principle of vitrification-based cryopreservation, the classification of cryopreservation reagents, as well as the cryopreservation of ovary skin, cornea and other medical tissue specimens.

METHODS: PubMed and WanFang databases were searched for relevant articles published from January 1994 through October 2019. Search terms were “tissue; vitrification; cryopreservation” in English and Chinese, respectively. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 45 articles were finally included in result analysis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The process of vitrification-based cryopreservation can avoid ice crystallization by which the cells are damaged, and effectively preserve the cell’s biological activity and basic functions. Vitrified cryopreservation reagents can be divided into permeable and non-permeable reagents. Their operation is simple and efficient. The only disadvantage is that the high concentration of cryopreservation reagents can cause some toxic injuries to the cells. To reduce the risk of overall tissue damage, a variety of low-toxic cryopreservation reagents can be mixed and used. At present, vitrification-based cryopreservation technology has been successfully applied in a variety of cells. However, the technical problems in the cryopreservation of tissues have not been solved completely.

Key words: tissue, vitrification, cryopreservation, freezing reagent, ovary, skin, cornea

CLC Number: