Effect of different freezing media on cell viability for use in immunotherapy protocols

• Grant number: 24/15230-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Telma Miyuki Oshiro Sumida
• Grantee: Lara Barbosa Vale
• Host Institution: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/25212-9 - Therapeutic vaccine based on aDC1 dendritic cells pulsed with inactivated autologous virus for the control of viremia after ATI in HIV infected individuals, AP.TEM

Abstract

Cellular immunotherapy is a promising method with increasing application in Brazil and around the world. Dendritic cell-based immunotherapy depends on obtaining precursor cells, usually monocytes present in peripheral blood, which are differentiated in vitro into moDCs. Precursor cells are obtained through leukapheresis, collecting mononuclear cells, among which monocytes, precursors of moDCs, are present. As it is a complex protocol, it is often convenient to freeze the precursor cells. Cell freezing requires appropriate media and conditions to ensure cell integrity and viability. On the other hand, the process requires good clinical practice conditions, which includes the use of animal serum-free reagents. In this context, the objective of this project is to test different freezing medium for DC precursors with regard to yield and viability after thawing. Results derived from this project will be useful in the context of pre-clinical trials currently underway in our laboratory.