Morphology and metabolism of hepatocytes microencapsulated with acrylic terpolymer-alginate using gelatin and poly(vinyl alcohol) as extracellular matrices

Abstract

Microcapsules with good mechanical stability were prepared using an appropriate mixture of alginate and acrylic terpolymer. It was found from the microscopic observation that the microcapsules had a porous structure with interconnected pores, with a size of 50-150 nm. The results of the permeability experiment of microcapsules using FITC-dextrans showed that the capsule had a molecular mass cut-off of 120 kDa. The hepatocytes encapsulated in both alginate and acrylic terpolymer with gelatin and PVA rapidly aggregated in the core. The aggregated cells showed high albumin synthesis and ammonia removal, suggesting good metabolic function.

Alginate encapsulation technology supports embryonic stem cells differentiation into insulin-producing cells

“…2), whereby, and in agreement with previous studies (e.g. Moon et al, 2005), the diffusion rate is decreased as the initial alginate concentration is increased. Comparing however, the diffusion of larger investigated molecules, 150 kDa goat IgG and 500 kDa dextran, with the pore size of the alginate matrix, these molecules should be capable of free diffusion through 5 m sized pores of 1% beads but appear to diffuse at a much slower rate.…”

Differentiation of microfluidic‐encapsulated trabecular meshwork mesenchymal stem cells into insulin producing cells and their impact on diabetic rats

“…Encapsulated cells within microfibers maintained blood glucose level in diabetic rats for more periods of times compared to cells cultured on TCPS. This result can be due to this fact that alginate hydrogels could be used for proliferation and differentiation of encapsulated stem cells through diffusion of differentiating reagents (Moon, Jeon, Meng, Akaike, & Kang, 2005).…”

“…Encapsulated cells within microfibers maintained blood glucose level in diabetic rats for more periods of times compared to cells cultured on TCPS. This result can be due to this fact that alginate hydrogels could be used for proliferation and differentiation of encapsulated stem cells through diffusion of differentiating reagents (Moon, Jeon, Meng, Akaike, & Kang, ). Also, it shows relatively immune‐isolating of cells within hydrogel from antibodies (Wang et al, ) which is important for insulin secretion destroyed by the host immune system.…”

An alginate-based encapsulation system for delivery of therapeutic cells to the CNS

“…In agreement with previous reports, the rates of diffusion increase as the initial concentration of the polymer decreases. 58,59 In the case of 40 kDa dextran, the molecule diffused through the matrix easily, with the whole amount released after 48 h of incubation for all conditions ( Fig. 4A ).…”