Cryopreservation of Hepatocyte Microbeads for Clinical Transplantation

Intraperitoneal transplantation of hepatocyte microbeads is an attractive option for the management of acute liver failure. Encapsulation of hepatocytes in alginate microbeads supports their function and prevents immune attack of the cells. Establishment of banked cryopreserved hepatocyte microbeads is important for emergency use. The aim of this study was to develop an optimized protocol for cryopreservation of hepatocyte microbeads for clinical transplantation using modified freezing solutions. Four freezing solutions with potential for clinical application were investigated. Human and rat hepatocytes cryopreserved with University of Wisconsin (UW)/10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/5% (300 mM) glucose and CryoStor CS10 showed better postthawing cell viability, attachment, and hepatocyte functions than with histidine–tryptophan–ketoglutarate/10% DMSO/5% glucose and Bambanker. The 2 freezing solutions that gave better results were studied with human and rat hepatocytes microbeads. Similar effects on cryoprese...