Cryoprotection of polyampholytes by controlled dehydration using temperature-variable solid-state NMR.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H04532
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90120:Biomaterials-related
• Research Institution: Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Matsumura Kazuaki 北陸先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 教授 (00432328)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 林 文晶 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 生命機能科学研究センター, 上級研究員 (00450411) ; Rajan Robin 北陸先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 助教 (70848043)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 凍結保護 / 両性電解質高分子 / 固体NMR

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Important findings were obtained regarding the elucidation of the mechanism of the cryoprotective effect of polyampholytes on cells and the cryopreservation of three-dimensional cellular structures using their action. To elucidate the mechanism, the dynamics of water molecules, salt molecules and polymer chains in polyampholyte solutions at low temperatures was investigated using temperature-variable solid-state NMR. It was found that the two main mechanisms are: osmotic adjustment by confinement of water molecules and salt molecules in the polymeric matrix formed at low temperatures, which controls cell dehydration; and strong inhibition of water molecule motility at low temperatures, which prevents the formation of intracellular ice crystals by extracellular ice crystal stimulation. Using this mechanism, various cells and cell masses were successfully cryopreserved.

Free Research Field

高分子化学、生体材料学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

医学生物学研究に重要な細胞の凍結保護作用について、毒性の低い凍結保護剤である高分子による保護効果についてのメカニズムの解明に成功した。このことは学術的に高い意義をもつだけでなく、毒性が低く効果の高い保護剤の分子設計につながる。また、氷晶形成の抑制効果を用いることで三次元細胞構造体の凍結保護に期待がもたれるなど、移植医療や再生医療にも貢献できる可能性がある。