INFLUENCE OF FISH ANTIFREEZE PROTEINS ON THE FREEZING OF CELL-SUSPENSIONS WITH CRYOPROTECTANT PENETRATING CELLS

This study aims at understanding the influence of antifreeze proteins (AFPs) from fishes on the freezing of biological cells in relation to cryopreservation from the viewpoint of bioheat and mass transfer. Huma n red blood cells were frozen in the physiological salines including 2 0% v/v glycerol with and without 20 mg ml(-1) AFPs. Due to the additio n of AFPs, the morphology of the ice crystal changed dramatically from a dendritic appearance into a spicular appearance. The spicular ice c rystal caused strong mechanical interaction between the ice crystals a nd the red blood cells, and the resultant complete destruction of the red blood cells. This suggests that the morphology of the ice crystal and its mechanical interaction with the cells influence the cell survi val through the freezing. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.