Author details

In the cryopreservation media in which cells can maintain their stem cells abilities for long time, the cells require a source of their nutrients as the animal base reagent, like FBS, but previous studies have showed that there is difficulty in removing animal proteins from the hMSCs and that may elicit adverse reactions in the patients who receive these cells for treatment [89]. Therefore, a serum-free media is alternative for the cryopreservation of MSCs and it was successfully used [90]. Lately, instead of using FBS, human albumin and neuropeptide were used. It was observed that MSCs maintained their proliferation potential and cell survival in the culture conditions. Moreover, cryoprotective agents (CPAs) are found to be required for the cryopreservation media to prevent any freezing damage to cells. A large number of CPAs are available [91], DMSO is the commonest CPAs agent used in cryopreservation of MSCs. However, DMSO toxicity to humans and animals hinders its usage in MSCs freezing for clinical applications. Due to these complications, it is necessary to use an alternate CPA. There are many methods along with the introduction of automated cells washing for the

The second important factor in cryopreservation of MSCs is the freezing temperature rate. The optimum rate for MSCs preservation is slow freezing at the rate of 1C/min is [93]. For the purpose of maintaining the rate of temperature during cryopreservation, controlled rate freezers (CRFs) are suitable for regulating the temperature. These CRFs can be programmed to determine the exact temperature the sample is experiencing during freezing [94]. Despite of these advantage, these CRFs do not apply a uniform temperature to all vials during large-scale MSCs banking [95], therefore, the development of advanced CRFs is mandatory for large-scale banking. Lately, Praxair Inc. created advanced CRF, providing unidirectional flow of cryogen to each sample. The safe and efficient cryopreservation as well as the regulatory guidelines are important for large-scale MSCs banking. In the U.S.A., Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for supervising MSCs based cell therapy products, while in Europe it is the

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are plastic-adherent, fibroblast-like, multipotent cells found in the human body having the ability to differentiate into different cell types including osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes. They are normally present in the umbilical cord, adipose tissue, bone marrow but can also be resident in other tissues and are recruited to sites of

MSCs are a promising candidate for cell-based tissue regeneration that can potentially revolutionize the current pharmaceutical landscape. The extracellular matrix (ECM), adjacent cells and different types of cytokines and growth factors forming MSC niche microenvironment, are critical for their lineage differentiation. Standardized protocols for cell culture, differentiation, expansion and cryopreservation need to be in place. These factors in combination with safely preconditioned and genetically modified MSCs may pave the way for the development of an

removal of DMSO from the frozen thawed cells [92].

16 Stromal Cells - Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Implications

European Medicines Agency that is responsible.

11. Summary and conclusion

wound healing as well as growing tumors.

effective cellular therapy for countless human immune disorders.

Amira Hassouna1,2\*, Marwa M. Abd Elgwad1 and Hoda Fahmy3

\*Address all correspondence to: amira\_hassouna@yahoo.co.uk

1 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt

2 Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Interprofessional Health Studies, Auckland University of Technology (AUT University), New Zealand

3 Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, New Zealand
