Method of storing and/or transporting in vitro cell cultures
The invention relates to a method of storing and/or transporting in vitro two-dimensional cell cultures. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in: a) coating a cell culture that is immobilized on an asymmetric support with a gelatine solution in culture medium at a concentration of between 1 and 5%; b) solidifying the gelatine added to the support at a temperature of between 15 and 25° C.; and c) storing and/or transporting the cell culture at a temperature of between 15 and 25° C. for a period of up to 96 hours. The invention also relates to a kit which is used to store and/or transport the in vitro two-dimensional cell cultures according to the inventive method, said kit comprising: i) an asymmetric support, and (ii) a gelatine solution in culture medium at a concentration of between 1 and 5%.
1. A method of storing and/or transporting in vitro organized, differentiated, polarized and functionally active two-dimensional cell cultures, which comprises the following steps:
a) coating an organized, differentiated, polarized and functionally active two-dimensional cell culture that is immobilized on an asymmetric support with a gelatin solution in the culture medium at a concentration of between 1 and 5%, said cell culture comprising cells in suitable functional state prior to coating,
b) solidifying the gelatin added to the support at a temperature of between 15 and 25° C., and
c) storing and/or transporting the cell culture comprising cells in said suitable functional state at a temperature of between 15 and 25° C. for a period of up to 96 hours.
2. A method according to claim 1 , which comprises the additional steps:
a) liquefication of the gelatin,
b) elimination of the gelatin and substitution thereof by a culture medium, and
c) incubation of the culture.
3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the cell culture is selected from among: Huvec cells, grown to confluence on a collagen support and differentiated Caco-2 cells, and other types of cells capable of growing in monolayers.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said gelatin solution comprises a 2.5% gelatin solution.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gelatin is solidified at a temperature of between 15 and 25° C., for a period of between 30 minutes and 12 hours.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the asymmetric support comprises a transwell-type support.
7. A method according to claim 2 wherein the gelatin liquefication is performed between 35 and 40° C. for a period of 1 to 4 hours.
8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein the gelatin liquefication is performed at 37° C.
9. A method according to claim 2 wherein the incubation of the culture is performed at between 35 and 40° C. for a period of between 1 hour and 8 days.
10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the incubation of the culture is performed at 37° C.
11. A kit for storing and/or transporting in vitro two-dimensional cell cultures according to claim 1 , comprising:
(i) an asymmetric support, and
(ii) a gelatin solution in culture medium at a concentration of between 1 and 5%.
12. A kit according to claim 11 , wherein the asymmetric support comprises a transwell-type support.