Register      Login
Reproduction, Fertility and Development Reproduction, Fertility and Development Society
Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Cryopreservation and long-term maintenance of bovine embryo-derived cell lines

Maryam Pashaiasl A B E , Khodadad Khodadadi A E , Nadine M. Richings A , Michael K. Holland A C and Paul J. Verma A D F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Reproduction and Development, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia.

B Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 51566-14766, Iran.

C School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.

D South Australian Research and Development Industry, Turretfield Research Centre, Rosedale, SA 5350, Australia.

E These authors contributed equally.

F Corresponding author. Email: paul.verma@monash.edu

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 25(4) 707-718 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD12018
Submitted: 19 January 2012  Accepted: 29 May 2012   Published: 23 July 2012

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop methods for cryopreservation and long-term maintenance of putative bovine embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Putative bovine ESC (bESC) lines (n = 3) isolated in conventional medium were used to compare slow-freezing and vitrification. After warming, vitrified cells (96.9%) demonstrated significantly (P < 0.05) better survival than frozen–thawed cells (81.5%) and formed significantly more colonies with good morphology (vitrification: 93/93, 100.0%; slow-freezing: 74/106, 69.81%; P < 0.05). The effect of inhibitors of differentiation (PD184352, SU5402, CHIR99021) on ESC maintenance was assessed on putative bESC lines established in N2B27–3i medium (n = 8) or conventional medium (n = 1) after culture over 30 passages (>240 days). All cell lines expressed ALP, SSEA1, SSEA4, OCT4, REX1 and SSEA1. OCT4 expression was confirmed by relative real-time PCR and was upregulated in early passages of putative bESCs cultured in N2B27–3i (2.9 ± 0.89-fold higher at Passage (P) 2–4), whereas the converse was observed later (P22–26; 2.2 ± 0.1-fold increase in conventional medium). Putative bESC lines isolated in N2B27–3i medium (n = 3) or conventional medium (n = 1) were vitrified at P18 and, after warming, were cultured for a further 12 passages. These cells survived vitrification and expressed OCT4, REX1, SSEA1, ALP, SSEA1 and SSEA4. These results demonstrate that putative bESC lines that express pluripotent markers can be cultured long term and retain expression of pluripotent markers after vitrification.

Additional keywords: cell signalling, ESCs, three inhibitors (3i).


References

Buzzard, J. J., Gough, N. M., Crook, J. M., and Colman, A. (2004). Karyotype of human ES cells during extended culture. Nat. Biotechnol. 22, 381–382, author reply 382.
Karyotype of human ES cells during extended culture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXis1yjsL4%3D&md5=c63859f3ce762c85e0e46f3ad5086cb6CAS | 15060545PubMed |

Capecchi, M. R. (1989). Altering the genome by homologous recombination. Science 244, 1288–1292.
Altering the genome by homologous recombination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXksFWhtLg%3D&md5=5a937f37b18a716091eeb57abc5b18c7CAS | 2660260PubMed |

Edgar, D. H., Archer, J., and Bourne, H. (2005). The application and impact of cryopreservation of early cleavage-stage embryos in assisted reproduction. Hum. Fertil. 8, 225–230.
The application and impact of cryopreservation of early cleavage-stage embryos in assisted reproduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Evans, M. J., and Kaufman, M. H. (1981). Establishment in culture of pluripotential cells from mouse embryos. Nature 292, 154–156.
Establishment in culture of pluripotential cells from mouse embryos.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaL3M3itV2qsg%3D%3D&md5=4d4a83e7939a99026c895878c049fe10CAS | 7242681PubMed |

Gandolfi, F., Vanelli, A., Rahaman, M., Acocella, F., and Brevini, T. A. L. (2011). Large animal models for cardiac stem cell therapies. Theriogenology 75, 1416–1425.
Large animal models for cardiac stem cell therapies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MvgvV2qtA%3D%3D&md5=8cc61e7dc5e8198079c8a2953db71ea8CAS | 21463721PubMed |

Green, R., Santos, B., Sicherle, C., Landim-Alvarenga, F., and Bicudo, S. (2009). Viability of OPS vitrified sheep embryos after direct transfer. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 44, 406–410.
Viability of OPS vitrified sheep embryos after direct transfer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1MrisFWjtQ%3D%3D&md5=c68dae0d081312499bd712df9e6473dcCAS | 18954390PubMed |

Kitiyanant, Y., and Saikhun, J. (2000). Establishment and long-term maintenance of bovine embryonic stem cell lines using mouse and bovine mixed feeder cells and their survival after cryopreservation. Sci. Asia 26, 81–86.
Establishment and long-term maintenance of bovine embryonic stem cell lines using mouse and bovine mixed feeder cells and their survival after cryopreservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kuleshova, L. L., Gouk, S. S., and Hutmacher, D. W. (2007). Vitrification as a prospect for cryopreservation of tissue-engineered constructs. Biomaterials 28, 1585–1596.
Vitrification as a prospect for cryopreservation of tissue-engineered constructs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXktlOntg%3D%3D&md5=9c407d3cbd928a8115add81da3f595b6CAS | 17178158PubMed |

Levine, D. M., Stephan, D. F., Krehbiel, T. C., and Berenson, M. L. (2008) ‘Statistics for Managers using Microsoft Excel’. (Pearson Education, Inc.: New Jersey.)

Li, T., Zhou, C., Liu, C., Mai, Q., and Zhuang, G. (2008). Bulk vitrification of human embryonic stem cells. Hum. Reprod. 23, 358–364.
Bulk vitrification of human embryonic stem cells.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXptlCltw%3D%3D&md5=af4321d931d8fc9226ccc1cf0e4c9739CAS | 18083745PubMed |

Loutradi, K. E., Kolibianakis, E. M., Venetis, C. A., Papanikolaou, E. G., Pados, G., Bontis, I., and Tarlatzis, B. C. (2008). Cryopreservation of human embryos by vitrification or slow-freezing: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil. Steril. 90, 186–193.
Cryopreservation of human embryos by vitrification or slow-freezing: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17980870PubMed |

Martin, G. R. (1981). Isolation of a pluripotent cell line from early mouse embryos cultured in medium conditioned by teratocarcinoma stem cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78, 7634–7638.
Isolation of a pluripotent cell line from early mouse embryos cultured in medium conditioned by teratocarcinoma stem cells.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaL387ltV2htg%3D%3D&md5=dc7b149563b3821169a9ae8d58ce1910CAS | 6950406PubMed |

Pant, D., and Keefer, C. L. (2009). Expression of pluripotency-related genes during bovine inner cell mass explant culture. Cloning Stem Cells 11, 355–365.
Expression of pluripotency-related genes during bovine inner cell mass explant culture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtFaktL3F&md5=0281b0d85e77e4f2d9b32e34cf96ac35CAS | 19594391PubMed |

Pashaiasl, M., Khodadad, Kh., Richings, N. M., Holland, M. K., and Verma, P. J. (2010). The efficient generation of cell lines from bovine parthenotes. Cellular Reprogramming 12, 571–579.
The efficient generation of cell lines from bovine parthenotes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtl2nt7jM&md5=e7b6b30cc8773ff75ca4dadeb88bff02CAS | 20936907PubMed |

Reubinoff, B. E., Pera, M. F., Vajta, G., and Trounson, A. O. (2001). Effective cryopreservation of human embryonic stem cells by the open pulled straw vitrification method. Hum. Reprod. 16, 2187–2194.
Effective cryopreservation of human embryonic stem cells by the open pulled straw vitrification method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MrlsVeruw%3D%3D&md5=6f3050de7a4a0f5d773abb84e97f7399CAS | 11574514PubMed |

Richards, M., Fong, C.-Y., Tan, S., Chan, W.-K., and Bongso, A. (2004). An efficient and safe xeno-free cryopreservation method for the storage of human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells 22, 779–789.
An efficient and safe xeno-free cryopreservation method for the storage of human embryonic stem cells.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15342942PubMed |

Robertson, E. J. (1987) Embryo-derived stem cell lines. In ‘Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Approach’. pp. 71–112. (IRL Press: Oxford.)

Smith, A. G. (2001). Embryo-derived stem cells: of mice and men. Annu. Rev. Cell Dev. Biol. 17, 435–462.
Embryo-derived stem cells: of mice and men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXos1Omsbo%3D&md5=e614b91c6ec04a829eaac14ad1d9323fCAS | 11687496PubMed |

Sumer, H., Liu, J., Malaver-Ortega, L. F., Lim, M. L., Khodadi, K., and Verma, P. J. (2011). Nanog is a key factor for induction of pluripotency in bovine adult fibroblasts. J. Anim. Sci. 89, 2708–2716.
Nanog is a key factor for induction of pluripotency in bovine adult fibroblasts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtFWqtrjP&md5=e1997fe392a7c1049b6f8dd63ed94046CAS | 21478453PubMed |

Trounson, A., and Mohr, L. (1983). Human pregnancy following cryopreservation, thawing and transfer of an eight-cell embryo. Nature 305, 707–709.
Human pregnancy following cryopreservation, thawing and transfer of an eight-cell embryo.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaL2c%2FjvFOltw%3D%3D&md5=6c2191257244ac1cca25a6d0c6e1f606CAS | 6633637PubMed |

Vajta, G. (2000). Vitrification of the oocytes and embryos of domestic animals. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 60–61, 357–364.
Vitrification of the oocytes and embryos of domestic animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10844207PubMed |

Vajta, G., Holm, P., Greve, T., and Callesen, H. (1996). Overall efficiency of in vitro embryo production and vitrification in cattle. Theriogenology 45, 683–689.
Overall efficiency of in vitro embryo production and vitrification in cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD28zgtVGrtQ%3D%3D&md5=96dafd5c62eaea2b24d2f42fb027e7afCAS | 16727830PubMed |

Vajta, G., Booth, P., Holm, P., Greve, T., and Callesen, H. (1997). Successful vitrification of early-stage bovine in vitro-produced embryos with the open pulled straw (OPS) method. Cryo Lett. 18, 191–195.

Vajta, G., Holm, P., Kuwayama, M., Booth, P. J., Jacobsen, H., Greve, T., and Callesen, H. (1998). Open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification: a new way to reduce cryoinjuries of bovine ova and embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 51, 53–58.
Open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification: a new way to reduce cryoinjuries of bovine ova and embryos.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXltVGrs7g%3D&md5=d2f150d560312c05d5844333b61d57b5CAS | 9712317PubMed |

Wang, K., Beyhan, Z., Rodriguez, R. M., Ross, P. J., Iager, A. E., Kaiser, G. G., Chen, Y., and Cibelli, J. B. (2009). Bovine ooplasm partially remodels primate somatic nuclei following somatic cell nuclear transfer. Cloning Stem Cells 11, 187–202.
Bovine ooplasm partially remodels primate somatic nuclei following somatic cell nuclear transfer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXjt1Cmtro%3D&md5=3f3fd5065ead9efc41d2460b162d3332CAS | 19196039PubMed |

Wilmut, I., and Whitelaw, C. B. (1994). Strategies for production of pharmaceutical proteins in milk Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 6, 625–630.
Strategies for production of pharmaceutical proteins in milkCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXjvFSlt7g%3D&md5=5cec91c127b8c3052542d8536788cfbeCAS | 7569042PubMed |

Ying, Q.-L., Stavridis, M., Griffiths, D., Li, M., and Smith, A. (2003). Conversion of embryonic stem cells into neuroectodermal precursors in adherent monoculture Nat. Biotechnol. 21, 183–186.
Conversion of embryonic stem cells into neuroectodermal precursors in adherent monocultureCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXnsFWitQ%3D%3D&md5=11dc03719960b42c301174c3300d35bcCAS | 12524553PubMed |

Ying, Q.-L., Wray, J., Nichols, J., Batlle-Morera, L., Doble, B., Woodgett, J., Cohen, P., and Smith, A. (2008). The ground state of embryonic stem cell self-renewal. Nature 453, 519–523.
The ground state of embryonic stem cell self-renewal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXmt1Ortbg%3D&md5=366bc49c87850b0e820ca035b22b1299CAS | 18497825PubMed |

Yuan, J. S., Reed, A., Chen, F., and Stewart, C. N., (2006). Statistical analysis of real-time PCR data. BMC Bioinformatics 7, 85.
Statistical analysis of real-time PCR data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16504059PubMed |