Comparison of Various Solutions for Temporary Storage of Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Aims: To determine whether physiologic saline, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and high glucose Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM-HG) were suitable as temporary storage solution.

Study Design: In vitro experimental analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Stem Cell Medical Technology Integrated Service Unit, RSCM/Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, from August through December 2016.

Methodology: We did viability assessments at various time points, namely after 0, 3, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 168 hours in the three storage solutions. For population doubling time (PDT) assessments the cells were re-cultured after various time points in the tested solutions. All viability and PDT assessments were done in four replications. Furthermore, for all storage solutions, differences between the various time points in terms of viability and PDT were compared and tested by ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results: Viability was >70% up to 72 hours in PBS and physiologic saline, and up to 96 hours in DMEM-HG. Decrease in viability began to be significant compared to initial viability after 6, 24, and 72 hours in PBS, physiologic saline, and DMEM-HG respectively. Increase in PDT began to be significant compared to initial PDT after 3, 6, and 24 hours in PBS, physiologic saline, and DMEM-HG respectively.

Conclusion: For our UC-MSCs, DMEM-HG is the best temporary storage solution, and storage should not exceed 24 hours.