2025.04.25
As a cornerstone of cryobiology since its discovery in 1959, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has enabled breakthroughs in preserving cells and tissues for medical and research applications. But how does it work, and what challenges does it present? Let’s dive deeper.
Ice Inhibition:
· Penetrates cell membranes, reducing intracellular ice formation by lowering freezing points.
· Mitigates “solution effects”—damage caused by concentrated salts during freezing—proving more critical than ice prevention itself.
Glass-State Formation:
· Forms hydrogen bonds with water, delaying crystallization and promoting protective glass-like states at ultra-low temperatures.
Synergy with Non-Permeating Agents:
· Combined with agents like hydroxyethyl starch (HES), DMSO’s concentration can be reduced while enhancing cell recovery (e.g., cord blood stem cells: 90% CFU-GM recovery vs. 77% with DMSO alone).
Cytotoxicity at Physiological Temperatures:
· Disrupts membranes, cytoskeleton, and triggers apoptosis.
· Clinical infusions correlate with nausea, hypotension, and rare severe reactions.
Operational Constraints:
· Requires strict low-temperature handling (<5°C) during addition/removal to minimize harm.
Emerging Alternatives:
· HES and Proline: Reduce DMSO dependency while improving post-thaw viability.
· Bio-inspired Materials: Mimicking antifreeze proteins to suppress ice growth (e.g., L-Proline oligomers in oocyte preservation).
· DMSO-Free Formulations: Novel cryoprotectants like amphiphilic compounds (e.g., glucose-lactone derivatives) show promise in MSCs and regenerative medicine.
Clinical Shift:
· Growing regulatory pressure to eliminate or reduce DMSO, especially in therapies requiring repeated dosing (e.g., immunotherapies).
· Companies now prioritize wash-free protocols or excipients to avoid DMSO residuals.
The goal? Balancing efficacy with safety. While DMSO remains irreplaceable for many applications, advancements in multifactorial cryoprotectant blends, vitrification techniques, and biomimetic materials are redefining best practices.
Key Takeaways：
· DMSO’s role is evolving—optimization, not elimination, is the focus.
· Collaborative innovation across material science, biophysics, and clinical research will drive safer, universal protocols.
#Cryopreservation #Biotechnology #CellTherapy #Innovation
