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Cryopreservation does not alter main characteristics of Good Manufacturing Process–grade human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells including immunomodulating potential and lack of malignant transformation
Abstract
Background aims The immunomodulating capacity of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) qualifies them as a therapeutic tool in several diseases. However, repeated transplantation with products of reproducible characteristics may be required. This could be achieved with cryopreserved aliquots of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-grade MSCs. However, the impact of cryopreservation on the characteristics of GMP-MSCs is ill defined. Methods We produced fresh and cryopreserved MSCs from human donors with a xenogen-free GMP protocol. Immunogenicity and immunomodulating capacity were tested in co-culture with putative recipient-specific peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Risk of malignant transformation was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Results Cryopreservation had no impact on viability and consensus criteria of MSCs. In co-culture with PBMCs, MSCs showed low immunogenicity and suppressed mitogen-stimulated proliferation of PBMC irrespective of cryopreservation. Cytogenetic aberrations were not observed consistently in fresh and cryopreserved products, and no signs of malignant transformation occurred in functional assays. MSC products from an elderly pretreated donor showed reduced functional quality, but imminent failure of functional criteria could be detected by an increased population doubling time in early passages. Discussion This study is the first systematic analysis on cryopreservation of xenogen-free human bone marrow-derived GMP-MSCs. The data support that cryopreservation does not alter the characteristics of the cells and thus may allow the generation of products for serial transplantation. In addition, the protocol allowed early detection of MSC products with low functional capacity.
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“Nevertheless, the impact of cryopreservation and thawing on MSC biology is still contentious, as some studies revealed no significant effect on MSC traits, including differentiation potential, phenotype, immunomodulatory properties, and lack of malignant transformation [338, 339].”
From Mechanisms, efficacy, and future perspectives of cellular-based therapies for liver fibrosis/cirrhosis: focusing on mesenchymal stromal cells (2025) · cites this paper as [339]
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Cited by
Marquez-Curtis, L. A., Janowska-Wieczorek, A., McGann, L. E., & Elliott, J. A. W. (2015) · Cryobiology · doi:10.1016/j.cryobiol.2015.07.003 · Cited by 346
Cryopreserved mesenchymal stem cells regain functional potency following a 24-h acclimation period
Antebi, B., Asher, A. M., Rodriguez, L. A., Moore, R. K., Mohammadipoor, A., & Cancio, L. C. (2019) · Journal of Translational Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12967-019-2038-5 · Cited by 83
Production and quality testing of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell therapeutics for clinical use
Bieback, K., Kuçi, S., & Schäfer, R. (2019) · Transfusion · doi:10.1111/trf.15252 · Cited by 24
Huang, Y.-C., Parolini, O., Deng, L., & Yu, B.-S. (2016) · Stem Cells · doi:10.1002/stem.2389 · Cited by 22
Pan, X., Gao, T., & Wang, B. (2025) · Cell & Bioscience · doi:10.1186/s13578-025-01520-9 · Cited by 2
“Neverthe-less, the impact of cryopreservation and thawing on MSC biology is still contentious, as some studies revealed no significant effect on MSC traits, including differentiation potential, phenotype, immunomodulatory properties, and lack of malignant transformation [338, 339].”
Metadata
- Authors
- Luetzkendorf, J., Nerger, K., Hering, J., Moegel, A., Hoffmann, K., Hoefers, C., Mueller-Tidow, C., & Mueller, L. P.
- Affiliations
- University Hospital in Halle (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Mueller, Lutz P.
- ORCID
- Mueller, Lutz P.
- Venue
- Cytotherapy
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-02
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 186-198
- ISSN
- 1465-3249 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2011031881
- Cited by
- 89
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 8
- FWCI
- 8.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cytotherapy (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt (FKZ: 3646A/0907)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Mesenchymal stem cell research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Keywords
- mesenchymal stem cells, cryopreservation, good manufacturing practices, immunomodulation, immunogenicity, malignant transformation, chromosomal abnormalities, bone marrow-derived cells, serial transplantation, population doubling time, cell quality control
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Cell Differentiation, Cell Survival, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic, Cells, Cultured, Female, Humans, Leukocytes, Mononuclear, Male, Middle Aged, Quality Control, Cryopreservation, Coculture Techniques, Guideline Adherence, Pluripotent Stem Cells, Cell Proliferation, Young Adult, Immunomodulation, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
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