Short answer
Both fresh (continuously cultured) and cryopreserved (frozen and thawed) mesenchymal stem cells are used in clinical settings. Several studies found reduced immune-modulating activity in cells tested immediately after thawing, while others found comparable potency when thawing and recovery were well controlled. For clinics, the practical question is less “fresh or frozen” and more how the product is handled, tested and documented up to the moment of use.
Key takeaways
- Cryopreservation makes MSC products easier to bank, ship and schedule; fresh supply needs tight coordination between lab and clinic.
- Some studies report reduced function right after thawing, especially in immune-modulation assays; others report comparable results.
- Viability and potency at the point of use matter more than the label on the vial.
- Ask any supplier for batch-level test results, the time from harvest or thaw to delivery, and handling instructions.
What “fresh” and “cryopreserved” actually mean
A fresh MSC product is harvested from active culture shortly before use and is not frozen after its final expansion. A cryopreserved product is frozen in a protective solution, stored in liquid nitrogen and thawed before use.
Many manufacturing workflows sit in between: cells may be frozen once as a master bank, then thawed and expanded again before a fresh harvest. When comparing suppliers, ask where in the process the freezing step happens, not just whether one exists.
What the research shows
In a widely cited 2014 study, Moll and colleagues found that freeze-thawed MSCs had impaired immunomodulatory and blood-regulatory properties compared with cells taken from continuous culture[1]. Other work on clinical MSC products has also described functional changes in response to freezing[2].
The picture is not one-sided. A 2019 study comparing donor-matched cultured and thawed MSCs reported comparable in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory potency in an animal model of sepsis[3]. A 2022 review concluded that fresh MSCs tend to show more consistent immunosuppressive properties, while noting that the details of freezing and recovery strongly influence results[4].
Much of this evidence is preclinical or laboratory based. How these differences translate into outcomes for patients is still being studied.
Practical trade-offs for clinics
| Fresh | Cryopreserved | |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Made to order; needs planning | Can be banked and held in stock |
| Logistics | Short, time-critical cold-chain window | Shipped frozen; needs liquid nitrogen or dry-ice handling |
| Preparation at clinic | Usually minimal | Thawing and sometimes washing, per protocol |
| Functional evidence | More consistent potency in several studies | Reduced function right after thaw in some studies; comparable in others |
| Scheduling | Patient sessions planned around delivery | Flexible, on-demand use |
Questions to ask your supplier
- What is the cell viability at release, and what do you expect at the time of administration?
- How long is the window between harvest (or thaw) and use, and at what temperature?
- Which identity and safety tests are done for every batch? The International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) defines MSC identity by surface markers and differentiation capacity[5].
- If the product is frozen, what is the thawing and washing protocol, and who trains your staff?
- Can you see the cold-chain record and the batch test report for each delivery?
How Scell Culture Lab approaches it
Scell Culture Lab mainly supplies fresh live MSCs. Deliveries are scheduled with each clinic, carried by our scientists under cold chain, and handed over with a batch test report covering viability, contamination and endotoxin. If your programme needs a different format, talk to our team about what is possible.
Frequently asked questions
Are cryopreserved MSCs less effective?
Not necessarily. Some studies found reduced function immediately after thawing, while others found comparable potency. How the cells are frozen, thawed, tested and handled matters a great deal.
Why do some clinical trials use frozen cells?
Cryopreservation allows cells to be banked, fully tested before release and used on demand, which is important for multi-site trials and acute conditions.
How long do fresh MSCs stay viable after delivery?
It depends on the product, carrier solution and temperature. Follow the supplier’s stated window and ask for viability data at the point of use.
References
- Moll G, Alm JJ, Davies LC, et al. Do cryopreserved mesenchymal stromal cells display impaired immunomodulatory and therapeutic properties? Stem Cells. 2014;32(9):2430–2442. https://doi.org/10.1002/stem.1729
- Clinical mesenchymal stem cell products experience functional changes in response to freezing. Cytotherapy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4274232/
- Thawed mesenchymal stem cell product shows comparable immunomodulatory potency to cultured cells in vitro and in polymicrobial septic animals. Scientific Reports. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-54462-x
- Impact of cryopreservation and freeze-thawing on therapeutic properties of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and other common cellular therapeutics. Review, 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9045030/
- Dominici M, Le Blanc K, Mueller I, et al. Minimal criteria for defining multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. The International Society for Cellular Therapy position statement. Cytotherapy. 2006;8(4):315–317. https://doi.org/10.1080/14653240600855905
Links accessed 2 October 2026.
Responsible for the cell culture process and quality records at every passage.
Reviews clinical usage standards and works directly with physicians at partner hospitals and clinics.
This article is for general information and education and is not medical advice. Decisions about any cell therapy should be made with a registered physician. Meet the team