Why do protective agents need to be added to cell cryopreservation?-FAQ-He Yuan Li Ji

Why do protective agents need to be added to cell cryopreservation?

Pubtime：2024-05-11

View volume：173

Cell cryopreservation is a technique that places cells in a low-temperature environment to reduce cellular metabolism for long-term storage. Cells are frozen without any protective agents, and the water inside and outside the cells quickly forms ice crystals, causing a series of adverse reactions. Firstly, some proteins denature due to increased local electrolyte concentration and pH changes, leading to changes in the internal spatial structure of the cells. Secondly, the formation of ice crystals within cells and the denaturation of proteins and enzymes on the cell membrane system can limit the energy metabolism of cells. Once again, the lipid protein complexes on the cell membrane are prone to damage during freezing, leading to changes in membrane permeability and loss of cellular contents. Finally, as the freezing temperature decreases, the volume expansion of ice crystals causes damage to the spatial structure of DNA, leading to cell death. Adding cryoprotectants can effectively improve cell damage and death.

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