Ann Lab Med.  2017 Mar;37(2):124-128. 10.3343/alm.2017.37.2.124.

Long-Term Quality Control Program Plan for Cord Blood Banks in Korea: A Pilot Study for Cryopreservation Stability

• Seo SH
• Shin S
• Roh EY
• Song EY
• Oh S
• Kim BJ
• Yoon JH

• KMID: 2373629
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2017.37.2.124

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Maintaining the quality of cryopreserved cord blood is crucial. In this pilot study, we describe the results of the internal quality control program for a cord blood bank thus far.
METHODS
Donated cord blood units unsuitable for transplantation were selected for internal quality control once a month. One unit of cord blood, aliquoted into 21 capillaries, was cryopreserved and thawed annually to analyze the total nucleated cell count, CD34⁺ cell count, cell viability test, and colony-forming units assay.
RESULTS
No significant differences in the variables (total nucleated cell count, cell viability, CD34⁺ cell count) were observed between samples cryopreserved for one and two years. Upon comparing the variables before cryopreservation and post thawing with the capillaries of one year of storage, cell viability and CD34⁺ cell counts decreased significantly. The use of cord blood samples in capillaries, which can be easily stored for a long period, was similar to the methods used for testing segments attached to the cord blood unit.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study may be useful for determining the period during which the quality of cryopreserved cord blood units used for transplantation is maintained.

Keyword

Umbilical cord blood; Internal quality control; Cryopreservation; Capillaries

MeSH Terms

Antigens, CD34/metabolism
Blood Banks
Cell Count
Cell Survival
Cryopreservation/*standards
Fetal Blood/*cytology
Humans
Pilot Projects
Quality Control
Republic of Korea
Time Factors
Antigens, CD34

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Capillary preparation for the quality control program. (A) An overwrapped capillary containing 300–400 µL of cord blood sealed at both ends. (B) An overwrapped capillary placed into a canister, which was transferred to a liquid nitrogen tank, similar to the storage conditions used for cord blood units.

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