На вечное хранение: российские учёные придумали как сохранять искусственные органы не теряя их свойств

Russian scientists from RUDN (Peoples' Friendship University of Russia) have created a unique cryopreservation technology. The method allows maintaining all the living properties of artificial organs for an unlimited time.

Image source generated by the DALL•E 3 neural network

Today, they can only preserve relatively simple biological elements such as sperm, eggs, or tissue fragments. At the same time, they remain viable. Problems arise when trying to freeze something of a large volume, because cryoprotectors (substances that protect living objects from the damaging effects of freezing) must penetrate all parts of the organ. The largest thing that has been cryopreserved so far is a small rabbit kidney. In experiments in the laboratory and on animals, we were able to prove that it is possible to preserve larger objects as well.

Irina Arutyunyan, Head of the Laboratory of Cell Technologies and Tissue Engineering at RUDN

For the experiment, a three-dimensional matrix made of polylactoglycolide polymer was taken. The structure of the material was supplemented with stem cells. During cryogenic preservation, the object is placed in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of –150℃ to –169℃.

The experimental implant was frozen at low temperatures and then thawed. By comparison, scientists were able to find out that the artificial organ did not lose its important vital properties and retained cell activity. After transplantation, the thawed implant took over cells from the surrounding tissues and the regeneration process was started.

Experts note that the technology of scientists from RUDN will allow preserving their own stem cells in the future and growing biomaterial from them later for treatment. Currently, transplantology uses biomaterials from another person, and this is associated with the risk of rejection. The patient has to undergo additional treatment with immunosuppressants.

For transplantation, you can take your own stem cells in the spinal cord, which are continuously produced, or primary cells that have managed to differentiate into one of the types of tissue. For example, we conducted studies when the patient took similar samples and implanted them in the heart in the area of the heart attack. This made it possible to restore up to 80% of the damaged area

Alexander Gerasimenko, Head of the Laboratory of Biomedical Nanotechnologies of the Institute of Biomedical Systems of the National Research University of Electronic Technology

Earlier www1.ru reported that Sechenov University will create an innovative bioreactor.