Multiple cryoprotectant toxicity model for vitrification solution optimization

Ross M. Warner, Kevin S. Brown, James D. Benson, Ali Eroglu, Adam Z. Higgins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Vitrification is a promising cryopreservation technique for complex specimens such as tissues and organs. However, it is challenging to identify mixtures of cryoprotectants (CPAs) that prevent ice formation without exerting excessive toxicity. In this work, we developed a multi-CPA toxicity model that predicts the toxicity kinetics of mixtures containing five of the most common CPAs used in the field (glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and formamide). The model accounts for specific toxicity, non-specific toxicity, and interactions between CPAs. The proposed model shows reasonable agreement with training data for single and binary CPA solutions, as well as ternary CPA solution validation data. Sloppy model analysis was used to examine the model parameters that were most important for predictions, providing clues about mechanisms of toxicity. This analysis revealed that the model terms for non-specific toxicity were particularly important, especially the non-specific toxicity of propylene glycol, as well as model terms for specific toxicity of formamide and interactions between formamide and glycerol. To demonstrate the potential for model-based design of vitrification methods, we paired the multi-CPA toxicity model with a published vitrification/devitrification model to identify vitrifiable CPA mixtures that are predicted to have minimal toxicity. The resulting optimized vitrification solution composition was a mixture of 7.4 molal glycerol, 1.4 molal DMSO, and 2.4 molal formamide. This demonstrates the potential for mathematical optimization of vitrification solution composition and sets the stage for future studies to optimize the complete vitrification process, including CPA mixture composition and CPA addition and removal methods.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalCryobiology
Volume108
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cryopreservation
  • Cryoprotectants
  • Optimization
  • Sloppy models
  • Toxicity
  • Vitrification

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Multiple cryoprotectant toxicity model for vitrification solution optimization'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this