Simple Workflow and Comparison of Media for hPSC-Cardiomyocyte Cryopreservation and Recovery

Abstract

Great progress has been made with protocols for the differentiation and functional application of hPSC-cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) in recent years; however, the cryopreservation and recovery of hPSC-CMs still presents challenges and few reports describe in detail the protocols and general workflow. In order to facilitate cryopreservation and recovery of hPSC-CMs for a wide range of applications, we provide detailed information and step-by-step protocols. The protocols are simple and use common reagents. They are comprised of a fast dissociation, cryopreservation using standard equipment, and gentle recovery following thawing. We discuss various features of the protocols, as well as their utilization in the context of common hPSC-CM differentiation and application workflows. Finally, we compare two proprietary and two common in-house formulations of cryopreservation media used for hPSC-CMs, and despite differences in their price and composition find broadly similar recovery rates and cellular function after thawing. © 2019 The Authors. Basic Protocol 1: Dissociation and cryopreservation of hPSC-CMs Basic Protocol 2: Thawing and recovery of cryogenically frozen hPSC-CMs.

Keywords: cardiomyocytes; cryopreservation; freezing media; functional recovery; human pluripotent stem cells.