Medium Additive for Reducing Storage-Associated Death of Leukocytes and Stem Cells

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This patent describes the use of sericin, a protein derived from silkworms, as an additive in aqueous storage media to reduce the death of leukocytes (white blood cells) and stem cells during storage at non-freezing temperatures. By incorporating sericin into storage solutions, cells can be kept viable for days to weeks without the need for cryopreservation or high amounts of traditional nutrients. The invention also covers specific formulations of sericin-containing storage media suitable for various cell types and storage conditions.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Short- and long-term storage of human or animal blood and stem cell samples for laboratory diagnostics without freezing.
• Transport of viable leukocytes or stem cells between collection sites (e.g., blood banks) and processing facilities (e.g., for advanced cell therapies).
• Preparation and distribution of cell-based therapeutic starting materials, such as for CAR-T cell production or dendritic cell vaccines.
• Storage of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation procedures without cryopreservation.
• Biobanking of immune cells or stem cells for research and clinical applications.
• Point-of-care collection and temporary storage of blood samples in field or remote locations.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables storage of leukocytes and stem cells for extended periods (up to 6 weeks) at temperatures up to 30°C, reducing reliance on freezing and cryopreservation.
• Maintains higher cell viability compared to standard serum-based or non-sericin media, even with minimal or no traditional cell culture nutrients.
• Reduces logistics complexity and costs by eliminating requirements for low-temperature freezers and cryoprotectants like DMSO.
• Expands window for laboratory diagnostics, cell processing, and transportation, thus improving workflow flexibility and quality assurance.
• Facilitates production and transport of high-quality cellular therapeutics by preserving viability from collection to manufacturing sites.
• Minimizes the need for blood serum in storage media, lowering the risk of immunological reactions and contamination.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of sericin as a medium additive for reducing storage-associated death of leukocytes or stem cells stored in an aqueous storage medium at a cell density of 0.001 to 2·108 cells/mL and at a temperature of up to 30°C where the storage medium is liquid. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for storing such cells for a period of at least 24 hours up to 6 weeks, to sericin-containing aqueous cell storage media containing no or only very low amounts of one or more of the vitamins, amino acids and other compounds which are usually essential for the culture of animal cells, to dry medium formulations or medium concentrates of such storage media as well as to corresponding suspensions of leukocytes or stem cells in such storage media.