X-Message-Number: 10853
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 21:53:34 -0800 (PST)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: cryopreservation of human brain tissue

Authors
  Robbins RJ.  Torres-Aleman I.  Lebranth C.  Bradberry CW.  Deutch AY.  Welsh
  S.  Roth RH.  Spencer D.  Redmond DE Jr.  Naftolin F.
Institution
  Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven,
  Connecticut 06510.
Title
  Cryopreservation of human brain tissue.
Source
  Experimental Neurology.  107(3):208-13, 1990 Mar.
Abstract
  Tissues from products of conception were examined to determine the
  feasibility of obtaining viable neural tissue after suction abortion at 9-12
  weeks of gestation. The ventral mesencephalon, a prototype region whose
  maturation can be monitored and which is a potential tissue for
  transplantation, was identified in 32 of 120 cases. The tissue was then
  screened for the presence of infectious agents, while being held at -196
  degrees C in cryopreservative solutions. Three of 32 specimens were found to
  be contaminated by normal vaginal bacteria; all other viral, fungal, and
  mycoplasma testing was negative. Thawed brain fragments
  retained high viability after storage in liquid nitrogen and when grown in
  vitro exhibited neuronal morphology, tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity,
  and dopamine production. We have demonstrated that human fetal
  brain tissue can be cryopreserved in a manner which not only
  retains viability but allows normal phenotypic differentiation after thawing.

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