Recent developments in cell shipping methods

• Published in: Biotechnology and bioengineering Vol. 119; no. 11; pp. 2985 - 3006
• Main Authors: Heydarzadeh, Shabnam, Kheradmand Kia, Sima, Boroomand, Seti, Hedayati, Mehdi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.11.2022
• Subjects: alternative methods; Ambient temperature; Apoptosis; cell culture; Cell death; cell shipping; Cell survival; Cell therapy; cell transport; Cryopreservation; Cryoprotectors; Cytotoxicity; Dry ice; Fibrin; Flasks; Microspheres; Nanoparticles; preservation; Quality control; Shipping; Ships; Survival; Temperature tolerance; Thawing; Toxicity; Transportation
• ISSN: 0006-3592; 1097-0290
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.28197

As opposed to remarkable advances in the cell therapy industry, research reveal inexplicable difficulties associated with preserving and post‐thawing cell death. Post cryopreservation apoptosis is a common occurrence that has attracted the attention of scientists to use apoptosis inhibitors. Transporting cells without compromising their survival and function is crucial for any experimental cell‐based therapy. Preservation of cells allows the safe transportation of cells between distances and improves quality control testing in clinical and research applications. The vitality of transported cells is used to evaluate the efficacy of transportation strategies. For many decades, the conventional global methods of cell transfer were not only expensive but also challenging and had adverse effects. The first determination of some projects is optimizing cell survival after cryopreservation. The new generation of cryopreservation science wishes to find appropriate and alternative methods for cell transportation to ship viable cells at an ambient temperature without dry ice or in media‐filled flasks. The diversity of cell therapies demands new cell shipping methodologies and cryoprotectants. In this review, we tried to summarize novel improved cryopreservation methods and alternatives to cryopreservation with safe and viable cell shipping at ambient temperature, including dry preservation, hypothermic preservation, gel‐based methods, encapsulation methods, fibrin microbeads, and osmolyte solution compositions. Facts The shipping of cells across international borders is a problematic issue. Contrary to remarkable advances in the cell therapy industry, studies expose inexplicable difficulties associated with preserving and post‐thaw cell death. Low‐cost, simple, and nonhazardous methods of transporting cell cultures are favorable for routine transportation of cells at long distances. Open questions • Why the evolution of alternative methods for global cell transfer and delivery is an essential issue? • Which cell shipping methods can be alternative to conventional methods of transferring cells with low cytotoxicity and ambient temperature tolerance? • When can promise the prosperity of cell transportation methods? • What are the main problems of the cell shipping process, and how can they be overcome?