[1PS-061]
우수논문발표상 응모자Hyaluronic Acid–Zn2+ Nanocomposites for Improved Post-Thaw Cell Recovery and Function
발표자박소정 (인천대학교)
연구책임자박경민 (인천대학교)
Abstract
While cryopreservation plays a pivotal role in cell-based therapies, it is limited by ice formation and toxicity. To address this, nanomaterial-based strategies utilizing functional polymers and bioactive metal ions have emerged as promising approaches to enhance post-thaw recovery. Among them, hyaluronic acid (HA) physically inhibits ice growth and zinc ion (Zn2+) biochemically enhances cell activity. Therefore, we developed HA- and Zn2+-based nanocomposites as cryoprotective additives. Thiolated HA (HA-SH) was coordinated with Zn2+ to form nanocomposites via metal coordination. We found that the addition of HA-SH/Zn2+ nanocomposites to the freezing media significantly increased post-thaw cell viability. Furthermore, these nanocomposites enhanced cellular activities, including cell proliferation and gene expression during cell culture. In sum, we suggest that our HA-SH/Zn2+ nanocomposites are a promising cryoprotective additive, with low toxicity and improved cell recovery rates.