Synthesis of Selenium-containing Polypeptides with Antioxidation and Ice-control Properties for Cryopreservation

Liang Yuan; Kong-Ying Zhu; Li-Xia Ren; Xiao-Yan Yuan

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3664-z

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Synthesis of Selenium-containing Polypeptides with Antioxidation and Ice-control Properties for Cryopreservation

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-07-27

- Synthesis of Selenium-containing Polypeptides with Antioxidation and Ice-control Properties for Cryopreservation
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Issue 8, Pages: 2585-2596(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
  b.Analysis and Measurement Center, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Author bio：
  
  yuanxy@tju.edu.cn
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3664-z
  CLC：
- Received：29 December 2025，
  
  Accepted：12 March 2026，
  
  Online First：26 June 2026，
  
  Published：15 August 2026
- Accepted：
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Yuan, L.; Zhu, K. Y.; Ren, L. X.; Yuan, X. Y. Synthesis of selenium-containing polypeptides with antioxidation and ice-control properties for cryopreservation. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 2585–2596

Liang Yuan, Kong-Ying Zhu, Li-Xia Ren, et al. Synthesis of Selenium-containing Polypeptides with Antioxidation and Ice-control Properties for Cryopreservation[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(8): 2585-2596.
Yuan, L.; Zhu, K. Y.; Ren, L. X.; Yuan, X. Y. Synthesis of selenium-containing polypeptides with antioxidation and ice-control properties for cryopreservation. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 2585–2596 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3664-z.

Liang Yuan, Kong-Ying Zhu, Li-Xia Ren, et al. Synthesis of Selenium-containing Polypeptides with Antioxidation and Ice-control Properties for Cryopreservation[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(8): 2585-2596. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3664-z.

摘要

Selenium-containing block copolypeptides are synthesized from L-selenomethionine and

’-Cbz-L-ornithine

demonstrating both ice-controlling and antioxidative properties. Serum-free cryopreservation of L929 fibroblasts by using the cryoprotectant containing copolypeptide

5% DMSO

and 0.1 mol/L trehalose achieved over 80% survival post-thaw and more proliferative rate

superior to 10% DMSO only.

Abstract

Cryopreservation is essential for cell therapy and regenerative medicine

while macromolecular cryoprotectants play a crucial role in mitigating the freeze injuries caused by subzero temperatures. Physical damages induced by ice crystals and oxidative damages triggered by reactive oxygen species are two major types of injuries during cryopreservation. Herein

a series of selenium-containing block copolypeptides are synthesized from L-selenomethionine and

’-Cbz-L-ornithine

which demonstrate ice-controlling properties in ice recrystallization inhibition

ice nucleation temperature

and ice crystal shaping. Owing to the significant antioxidant activities

these selenium-containing polypeptides can also effectively scavenge H

and alleviate the oxidative injury. In serum-free cryopreservation of L929 fibroblasts

the cryoprotectant consisting of selenium-containing polypeptides

5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)

and trehalose achieves over 80% post-thaw survival

maintaining normal proliferation superior to 10% DMSO and intact cellular integrity. This work provides a valuable insight into applications of selenium-containing polypeptides in cryopreservation of cells by reducing oxidative injuries and moderate ice-induced damages.

关键词

Keywords

references

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