Effects of cryopreservation on bone marrow derived mesenchymal cells of a nonhuman primate.

Bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) have multi-lineage differentiation capabilities and are focused on as a cell source for various cell therapies. To facilitate the availability of MSCs, cryopreservation technique is one of the critical factors for the cell therapies. In this study, effects of cryopreservation on capabilities of MSCs derived from a nonhuman primate were tested, aimed at a clinical application for tissue-engineered bone reconstruction. Effects of cryopreservation on the MSCs' adhesion rate, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation in vitro were compared with non-cryopreserved MSCs. Bone formation capabilities were also tested using an extraskeletal bone induction model. The bone formation inducted by the combination of cryopreserved MSCs and an artificial bone scaffold was confirmed in all cases. The amount of bone formation at each case was irregular, but the results were suggested the possibility of cryopreserved MSCs on clinical use.