Investigating cryopreserved PBMC functionality in an antigen-induced model of sarcoidosis granuloma formation

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2024-06, Vol.714, p.149993, Article 149993
• Main Authors: Seman, Sarah G., Bicer, Sabahattin, Julian, Mark W., Mitchell, Jonah R., Kramer, Patrick J., Crouser, Elliott D., Locke, Landon W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cryopreservation; Disease modeling; Granuloma formation; Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; Sarcoidosis
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149993

Sarcoidosis, a systemic inflammatory disease, poses challenges in understanding its etiology and variable clinical courses. Despite ongoing uncertainty about causative agents and genetic predisposition, granuloma formation remains its hallmark feature. To address this, we developed a validated in vitro human granuloma model using patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), offering a dynamic platform for studying early granuloma formation and sarcoidosis pathogenesis. However, a current limitation of this model is its dependence on freshly isolated PBMCs obtained from whole blood. While cryopreservation is a common method for long-term sample preservation, the biological effects of freezing and thawing PBMCs on granuloma formation remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the viability and functionality of cryopreserved sarcoidosis PBMCs within the granuloma model, revealing similar granulomatous responses to fresh cells and highlighting the potential of cryopreserved PBMCs as a valuable tool for studying sarcoidosis and related diseases. •Cryopreserved PBMCs from sarcoidosis patients produce similar granulomas in model.•Cryopreserved PBMCs show largely consistent cytokine responses to fresh cells.•Study underscores compatibility of cryopreserved PBMCs in granulomatous disease models.