Tannic acid-serum albumin (TASA) complex maintains cell viability and protects from oxidative damage during hypothermic preservation

Rationale: Clinical translation of mesenchymal stem cell therapies requires preservation methods for maintaining cell viability and function.Preserving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) at low temperatures represents a clinical approach to maintaining cellular viability during transport and short-term storage for therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications.However, cold-induced stress presents significant challenges in maintaining cell viability and functionality during storage.These challenges underscore the need for strategies to maintain membrane integrity and protect cells from oxidative stress under hypothermic conditions.Here, we developed a hypothermic preservation solution utilizing a combination of tannic acid (TA) and bovine serum albumin (SA), TASA, in basal culture medium.Methods: MSCs were stored in TASA solutions and evaluated for viability, differentiation capacity, and therapeutic potential.The therapeutic efficacy of TASA-preserved MSCs was assessed further in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model, using disease severity, survival rate, myeloperoxidase activity, gene expression, and histological analysis.Results: In vitro assessments demonstrated that TASA significantly maintained MSCs viability for up to 48 h under hypothermic conditions and scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) more effectively than commercial preservation solutions.Furthermore, TASA-preserved MSCs retained their therapeutic efficacy in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model, demonstrating recovery comparable to that of Fresh MSCs by modulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways.Conclusion: TASA maintains not only MSCs viability but also their functions.Furthermore, TASA complexes are expected to address key challenges in cell storage and transport for regenerative medicine applications and can be applied in clinical settings.