Maintenance of Contractile function of isolated airway smooth muscle after cryopreservation.

Rationale: Isolated human airway smooth muscle (ASM) tissue contractility studies are essential for understanding the role of ASM in respiratory disease, but limited availability and cost render storage options necessary for optimal use. However, to date no comprehensive study of cryopreservation protocols for isolated ASM has been performed. Methods: We tested several cryostorage protocols on equine trachealis ASM, using different cryostorage media (1.8M dimethyl sulfoxide and fetal bovine serum [FBS] or Krebs-Henseleit [KH]) and different degrees of dissection (with or without epithelium and connective tissues attached) prior to storage. We measured methacholine (MCh), histamine and isoproterenol (Iso) dose responses and electrical field stimulation (EFS) and MCh force velocity curves. We confirmed our findings in human trachealis ASM stored undissected in FBS. Results: Maximal stress response to MCh was decreased more in dissected than undissected equine tissues. EFS force was decreased in all equine b...