Immunogenicity of osteoblasts prior to and after liquid nitrogen cryopreservation

doi:10.3321/j.issn:1673-8225.2008.46.008

Abstract：BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation can decrease tissue and organ immunogenicity. The effects of cryopreservation on cell immunogenicity are disputed.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of liquid nitrogen cryopreservation on osteoblast immunogenicity. DESIGN: Randomized,controlled ,paired-sample experiment. SETTING: This study was performed in the Laboratory Center, Qilu Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University between July 2003 and March 2004. MATERIALS: Four New Zealand rabbits of either gender were included for this study. 3H-TdR was provided by Nuclear Medicine Institute of Shandong University. METHODS: Osteoblasts were cultured from the tibial periosteum of New Zealand rabbits and then cryopreservated in the liquid nitrogen for 3 months and defrosted. Cryopreservated and thawn osteoblasts were set as cryopreserved group and freshly cultured osteoblasts were set as non-cyropreserved group. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I positive rate was examined by flow cytometry assay prior to and after cryopreservation. Simultaneously, mixed lymphocyte-osteoblast cultures were established. Lymphocyte stimulation index was calculated after counting the flares using β liquid scintilloscope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: MHI-I antigen positive rate and lymphocyte stimulation index prior to and after cryopreservation of osteoblasts. RESULTS: MHI-I antigen positive rate and lymphocyte stimulation index of osteoblasts was significantly higher in the non-cryopreserved group than in the cryopreserved group (P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: The immunogenicity of cryopreserved osteoblasts was significantly decreased. Liquid nitrogen cryopreservation is an ideal method to decrease the immunogenicity of osteoblasts.