Integration of Trehalose Lipids with Dissociative Trehalose Enables Cryopreservation of Human RBCs

Abstract

Cryopreservation of red blood cells (RBCs) is imperative for transfusion therapy, while cryoprotectants are essential to protect RBCs from cryoinjury under freezing temperatures. Trehalose has been considered as a biocompatible cryoprotectant that naturally accumulates in organisms to tolerate anhydrobiosis and cryobiosis. Herein, we report a feasible protocol that enables glycerol-free cryopreservation of human RBCs by integration of the synthesized trehalose lipids and dissociative trehalose through ice tuning and membrane stabilization. Typically, in comparison with sucrose monolaurate or trehalose only, trehalose monolaurate was able to protect cell membranes against freeze stress, achieving 96.9 ± 2.0% cryosurvival after incubation and cryopreservation of human RBCs with 0.8 M trehalose. Moreover, there were slight changes in cell morphology and cell functions. It was further confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry and osmotic fragility tests that the moderate membrane-binding activity of trehalose lipids exerted cell stabilization for high cryosurvival. The aforementioned study is likely to provide an alternative way for glycerol-free cryopreservation of human RBCs and other types of cells.

Amphiphilic Compounds as Antihemolytic Agents: Problems and Prospects

“…Glycerol is a permeable CPA, so after erythrocytes' warming it is necessary to remove it from the cells. Deglycerolization of erythrocytes is accompanied by the removal of damaged cells, free hemoglobin, potassium and/or protein [29], so the state of the erythrocyte suspension before transfusion is of higher quality than after hypothermic storage, during which 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, ATP, etc. are lost that, in particular, is accompanied by a reduced functional activity of erythrocytes and a change in their ability to deform and aggregate [7,10,26].…”

Red blood cells: a potential delivery system

“…The technology of RBCs preservation is also constantly advancing. Trehalose [ 173 ], pre-freeze oxidation [ 174 ], and liposome [ 175 ] have been determined to have a good effect on freeze drying of RBCs. However, the problem of potential hemolytic and thrombus risks also needs to be addressed before clinical application.…”

Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Destruction-Mediated Cell-Mimetic Nanodrugs for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Recently, nanoparticles camouflaged with cell membranes, inspired by bionic strategies, have received increasing attention as a new approach to address this bottleneck. − Red blood cells (RBCs) have attracted much attention because of their long circulation time in vivo . , The red blood cell membrane (RBCM) can be used as a “cloak” to disguise the identity of drug-loaded nanoparticles, so that the nanoparticles can hide from the RES, which helps to prolong the effective circulation time of drugs in vivo . ,, Significantly, the nanoparticles that have accumulated passively in the synovial cavity releases and delivers drugs to every cell type, which will reduce the therapeutic efficacy . Activated macrophages play a key role in the progression of RA.…”

“…30−32 Red blood cells (RBCs) have attracted much attention because of their long circulation time in vivo. 33,34 The red blood cell membrane (RBCM) can be used as a "cloak" to disguise the identity of drug-loaded nanoparticles, so that the nanoparticles can hide from the RES, 35 which helps to prolong the effective circulation time of drugs in vivo. 34,36,37 Significantly, the nanoparticles that have accumulated passively in the synovial cavity releases and delivers drugs to every cell type, which will reduce the therapeutic efficacy.…”