摘要 |
Disclosed herein is a method for cryopreserving musculoskeletal tissues, such as ligaments, tendons and cartilage, by placing such tissue in contact with a composition containing a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solute, which is preferably dimethylsulfoxide, and a glycosaminoglycan, which is preferably chondroitin sulphate, in an amount sufficient to cryopreserve the musculoskeletal tissue. The addition of a glycosaminoglycan to a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solute permits a broad range of cooling rates to be employed, rather than the very narrow ranges which are employed using a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solvent without the glycosaminoglycan. Also disclosed are a freezing schedule designed to maximize retention of tissue cell viability and biomechanical properties during and after the freezing process, and a thawing schedule which maximizes cell viability.
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