Novel cryodevices for vitrification of cumulus-oocyte complexes and pancreatic islets

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06364
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: Shinshu University
• Principal Investigator: Hochi Shinichi 信州大学, 学術研究院繊維学系, 教授 (10283243)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ガラス化保存 / ウシ卵丘卵子複合体 / ラット膵島 / シルクフィブロイン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The high biocompatibility and easy processing capability of silk fibroin (SF) can facilitate successful scaffold design in biomedical research and practical applications, including cell transplantation therapy. The porous SF sponge with high hydrophilicity also serves as a transporter in drug delivery system because the SF sponge is suitable for absorption, retention, and gradual release of pharmaceutical aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the cryodevice derived from the SF sponge can be optimized for minimum volume cooing vitrification of large cell complexes or tissues composed of different cell types (e.g., rat pancreatic islets or bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes). This system requires prompt minimization of exposure to the highly toxic vitrification solution around the cell masses immediately before cooling in liquid nitrogen to guarantee the extremely rapid cooling rate and high post-warm cell viability.

Free Research Field

動物生産科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ガラス化保存の新規デバイス開発を目指す対象材料はウシの卵丘卵子複合体とラットの膵島であり、いずれも主役の細胞 (卵子、β細胞) 以外にも多種多様な機能をもつ細胞群から構成され、それらが協同して働くことを特徴とする細胞塊である。これらのガラス化保存に適したデバイスを加工性・吸水性・生体適合性に優れた多孔質のシルクフィブロイン (SF) から作製できた。ウシ卵丘卵子複合体には市販クライオトップにSFシートを多層に巻き付け、ラット膵島にはSFスポンジをディスク上に切り抜き、それらの有用性を実証した。これらの成果は、ヒトの不妊治療や糖尿病の移植医療に関わる研究者・技術者に貢献する、と期待される。