The Response of the Cell Genome of Endometrial Mesenchymal Stem Cells to the Procedure of Long-Term Cyropreservation

Abstract

Information about the effect of cryopreservation on cellular functions and the genetic apparatus of cells of differing genesis is not unambiguous and is in the process of accumulation. This work is aimed at studying the effect of long-term storage (7 years) in the frozen state of human endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs) on the stability of their genome in vitro. The results showed destabilization of the karyotype structure in the descendants of cells after their thawing, namely, aneupolyploidization of the chromosome set; increased fragility of chromosomes, resulting in a huge pool of aberrant chromosomes; and impaired condensation in homologues. Chromosomal breakdowns affecting the centromeric regions were in some cases accompanied by the preservation of genetic material in the form of independent chromosomes. Almost all chromosomes of the set were involved in the process of destabilization of the eMSC cell genome. It has been shown that the procedure of long-term cryopreservation can become an inducer of premature cellular aging of eMSCs after their thawing. Comparison of the data obtained with the results of karyotyping of transformed Chinese hamster cells that underwent a similar procedure led to the conclusion that cryopreservation for biological systems can be a stress that induces heterogeneous genetic defects at the karyotype level. The response of the genome of cells of different origin to the same conditions of cryopreservation may differ.