Impact of cryopreservation on serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-7, TIMP-1, vascular growth factors (VEGF) and VEGF-R2 in Biobank samples

Abstract

The stability of MMP-7, TIMP-1, VEGF or VEGF-receptor in biobanking is highly variable, and this should be taken into account in the interpretation of results. A temperature -20°C is unsuitable for prolonged storage of the biomarkers investigated, and repeated thawing of sera is not recommended. VEGF is especially unstable and should be quantitated using serum that has never been frozen.

A Novel Multiplex–Protein Array for Serum Diagnostics of Colorectal Cancer: Impact of Pre-analytical Storage Conditions

“…Our results also showed that serum levels of different markers changed in different directions: CEA, IL-8, C3adesArg, and CRP increased with repeated freeze-thaw cycles, while VEGF decreased. In line with our results, Kisand et al 22 found that VEGF concentrations decreased after one freeze-thaw cycle from analysis of 36 serum samples. In contrast, Hetland et al 23 reported that VEGF serum levels, in contrast to plasma levels, were not significantly affected by up to nine freeze-thaw cycles ( -80°C).…”

Measuring myokines with cardiovascular functions: pre-analytical variables affecting the analytical output

“…These findings were in contrast with previous observations by Kisand and colleagues who showed that VEGF is very sensible to freeze/thaw: 67% decrease already after the first cycle. Contrarily, VEGF-R2 was slightly but significantly increased after three freeze/thaw cycles (168). Similar results were obtained by Bünger and colleagues who used a biochipbased measurement in biobanked sera from colorectal cancer patients (170).…”

Storage of Human Biospecimens: Selection of the Optimal Storage Temperature

“…68 For instance, a recent study followed the concentration of two serum cancer markers (cancer antigens CA125 and CA15-3) over a 10-year period and observed an increase of 15% in prevalence of these biomarkers as a function of time in storage. 69 In another study, Kisand et al 70 reported that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels decreased dramatically after serum was repeatedly frozen and thawed while stored at either -20°C or -75°C. Another serum component, matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), was stable after 5 years of storage at -20°C, and would be stable for 100 years at -75°C as calculated using the Arrhenius equation.…”