Development of an infusible-grade solution for non-cryopreserved hematopoietic cell storage

Background Various tissue culture medium formulations currently are used to transport, store and process stem and progenitor cells for transplantation , although these solutions are not manufactured Jar clinical use. Methods We have developed an infusible-grade solution, STM-Sav, for short-t erm liquid cell storage and tested its ability to maintain viable functiona l hematapoietic cells, compared with commonly-used tissue culture solutions . G-CSF-stimulated normal-donor PBPC were stored in alpha-MEM, IMDM, RPMI-1 640, AIM 5, X-VIVO 10, PlasmaLyte A and STM-Sav, in gas-permeable Cryocyte bags, at ambient temperature and 4 degrees C. The percentage of viable cell s, percent recovery of viable mononuclear cells (MNC), percentage of CD34() cells, CFU-GM frequency and solution pH were determined for each solution , at time points ranging from 0 to 72 h. Results Cells were slightly better maintained nt 4 degrees C than at ambien t temperature. No solution was superior to any other overall, although Plas maLyte A was significantly inferior to all other solutions at preserving vi able MNC. STM-Sav consistently maintained viable, functional cells as well as, or better than in-vitro-use-only culture media, or PlasmaLyte A. Discussion Cells could be stored in STM-Sav for at least 24 h at 4 degrees C or ambient temperature, with recovery of approximately 90% of initial via ble MNC, unchanged percentage CD34(+) cells and stable solution pH.