Effects of Slow Programmable Cryopreservation on Preserving Viability of the Cultured Periodontal Ligament Cells from Human Impacted Third Molar

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine cell viability and differentiation capability of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and to elucidate the effects of cryopreservation on the activity of human third molar PDL cells by comparing PDL cells with and without cryopreservation. Materials and Methods: Human PDL fibroblasts obtained from immature third molars were cultured and divided into two groups. The experimental group was cryopreserved with a slow freezing rate of 0.5℃/min from 4℃ to –35℃ followed by plunging in liquid nitrogen at –196℃ and cultured after fast thawing. The control group was cultured without cryopreservation. Cell viability, growth capacity and morphology were evaluated in both groups. Bivariate statistics were used to compare 2 groups and linear mixed model analysis was used to investigate the growth trends difference over time. Result: Cell viability and growth capacity were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Cultured cell of both groups showed fibroblast-like in appearance, and there were no significant differences in morphology between 2 groups. The mixed model analysis revealed no significant difference of growth capacity between 2 groups over time (β=–0.0009; P=0.138). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that cryopreservation under control does not affect the biological properties of PDL cells, supporting the feasibility of autotransplantation of cryopreserved impacted third molars.