Alginate-based microcapsules with galactosylated chitosan internal for primary hepatocyte applications

Alginate-galactosylated chitosan/polylysine (AGCP) microcapsules with excellent stability and high permeability were developed and employed in primary hepatocyte applications. The galactosylated chitosan (GC), synthesized via the covalent coupling of lactobionic acid (LA) with low molecular weight and water-soluble chitosan (CS), was ingeniously introduced into the core of alginate microcapsules by regulating the pH of gelling bath. The internal GC of the microcapsules simultaneously provided a large number of binding sites for the hepatocytes and further promoted the hepatocyte-matrix interactions via the recognition of asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPRs) on the hepatocyte surface, and afforded the AGCP microcapsules an excellent stability via the electrostatic interactions with alginate. As a consequence, primary hepatocytes in AGCP microcapsules demonstrated enhanced viability, urea synthesis, albumin secretion, and P-450 enzyme activity, showing great prospects for hepatocyte applications in microcapsule system.

Matrix-immobilized yeast for large-scale production of recombinant human lactoferrin

An improved method of recombinant human lactoferrin (hLF) expression in rich culture medium is demonstrated using macroporous microencapsulation.

Effect of plasma components on the stability and permeability of microcapsule

Immobilization of hepatocytes in microcapsules has been a potentially alternative methodology for bioartificial livers (BALs). Moreover, the stability and permeability are the key parameters of these microcapsules. However, these alginate-based microcapsules are unstable if the surrounding medium disrupts the ionic interactions between alginate and the polycation. As hundreds of components are included in human plasma, the stability and permeability in plasma of microcapsules need to be sufficiently investigated. In the present study, the stability of three kinds of alginate-based microcapsules was evaluated when they were immersed in plasma. Our results showed that stability of alginate-α-poly (L-lysine)-alginate (α-APA) microcapsules was well maintained, better than those of alginate-ε-poly (L-lysine)-alginate (ε-APA) and alginate-chitosan-alginate (ACA) microcapsules. Also, factors affecting the stability of microcapsules in plasma were analyzed and it showed that heparin was the key factor that affected the stability of α-APA microcapsules, whereas heparin and low molecular electrolytes such as HCO3(-) and H2 PO4(-)/HPO4(2-) were the factors to ε-APA and ACA microcapsules. In addition, the permeability evaluation showed no decrease in permeability of microcapsules after incubation in plasma. Our study might provide a foundation for the selection and modification of materials for microcapsule-based BAL devices.

Microencapsulating and Banking Living Cells for Cell-Based Medicine

A major challenge to the eventual success of the emerging cell-based medicine such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and cell transplantation is the limited availability of the desired cell sources. This challenge can be addressed by cell microencapsulation to overcome the undesired immune response (i.e., to achieve immunoisolation) so that non-autologous cells can be used to treat human diseases, and by cell/tissue preservation to bank living cells for wide distribution to end users so that they are readily available when needed in the future. This review summarizes the status quo of research in both cell microencapsulation and banking the microencapsulated cells. It is concluded with a brief outlook of future research directions in this important field.

Cardiac cell generation from encapsulated embryonic stem cells in static and scalable culture systems

Heart diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality linked to extensive loss of cardiac cells. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) give rise to cardiomyocyte-like cells, which may be used in heart cell replacement therapies. Most cardiogenic differentiation protocols involve the culture of ESCs as embryoid bodies (EBs). Stirred-suspension bioreactor cultures of ESC aggregates may be employed for scaling up the production of cardiomyocyte progeny but the wide range of EB sizes and the unknown effects of the hydrodynamic environment on differentiating EBs are some of the major challenges in tightly controlling the differentiation outcome. Here, we explored the cardiogenic potential of mouse ESCs (mESCs) and human ESCs (hESCs) encapsulated in poly-L-lysine (pLL)-coated alginate capsules. Liquefaction of the capsule core led to the formation of single ESC aggregates within each bead and their average size depended on the concentration of seeded ESCs. Encapsulated mESCs were directed along cardiomyogenic lineages in dishes under serum-free conditions with the addition of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). Human ESCs in pLL-layered liquid core (LC) alginate beads were also differentiated towards heart cells in serum-containing media. Besides the robust cell proliferation, higher fractions of cells expressing cardiac markers were detected in ESCs encapsulated in LC than in solid beads. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time that ESCs encapsulated in pLL-layered LC alginate beads can be coaxed towards heart cells in stirred-suspension bioreactors. Encapsulated ESCs yielded higher fractions of Nkx2.5- and GATA4-positive cells in the bioreactor compared to dish cultures. Differentiated cells formed beating foci that responded to chronotropic agents in an organotypic manner. Our findings warrant further development and implementation of microencapsulation technologies in conjunction with bioreactor cultivation to enable the production of stem cell-derived cardiac cells appropriate for clinical therapies and applications.

Progress technology in microencapsulation methods for cell therapy

Cell encapsulation in microcapsules allows the in situ delivery of secreted proteins to treat different pathological conditions. Spherical microcapsules offer optimal surface-to-volume ratio for protein and nutrient diffusion, and thus, cell viability. This technology permits cell survival along with protein secretion activity upon appropriate host stimuli without the deleterious effects of immunosuppressant drugs. Microcapsules can be classified in 3 categories: matrix-core/shell microcapsules, liquid-core/shell microcapsules, and cells-core/shell microcapsules (or conformal coating). Many preparation techniques using natural or synthetic polymers as well as inorganic compounds have been reported. Matrix-core/shell microcapsules in which cells are hydrogel-embedded, exemplified by alginates capsule, is by far the most studied method. Numerous refinement of the technique have been proposed over the years such as better material characterization and purification, improvements in microbead generation methods, and new microbeads coating techniques. Other approaches, based on liquid-core capsules showed improved protein production and increased cell survival. But aside those more traditional techniques, new techniques are emerging in response to shortcomings of existing methods. More recently, direct cell aggregate coating have been proposed to minimize membrane thickness and implants size. Microcapsule performances are largely dictated by the physicochemical properties of the materials and the preparation techniques employed. Despite numerous promising pre-clinical results, at the present time each methods proposed need further improvements before reaching the clinical phase.

Mechanically enhanced microcapsules for cellular gene therapy

Microcapsules bearing a covalently cross-linked coating have been developed for cellular gene therapy as an improvement on alginate-poly(L-lysine)-alginate (APA) microcapsules that only have ionic cross-linking. In this study, two mutually reactive polyelectrolytes, a polycation (designated C70), poly([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride-co-2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride) and a polyanion (designated A70), poly(sodium methacrylate-co-2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl acetoacetate), were used during the microcapsule fabrication. Ca-alginate beads were sequentially laminated with C70, A70, poly(L-lysine) (PLL), and alginate. The A70 reacts with both C70 and PLL to form a approximately 30 microm thick covalently cross-linked interpenetrating polymer network on the surface of the capsules. Confocal images confirmed the location of the C70/A70/PLL network and the stability of the network after 4 weeks implantation in mice. The mechanical and chemical resistance of the capsules was tested with a "stress test" where microcapsules were gently shaken in 0.003% EDTA for 15 min. APA capsules disappeared during this treatment, whereas the modified capsules, even those that had been retrieved from mice after 4-weeks implantation, remained intact. Analysis of solutions passing through model flat membranes showed that the molecular weight cut-off of alginate-C70-A70-PLL-alginate is similar to that of alginate-PLL-alginate. Recombinant cells encapsulated in APA and modified capsules were able to secrete luciferase into culture media. The modified capsules were found to capture some components of regular culture media used during preparation, causing an immune reaction in implanted mice, but use of UltraCulture serum-free medium was found to prevent this immune reaction. In vivo biocompatibility of the new capsules was similar to the APA capsules, with no sign of clinical toxicity on complete blood counts and liver function tests. The increased stability of the covalently modified microcapsules coupled with the acceptable biocompatibility and permeability demonstrated their potential for use as immunoisolation devices in gene therapy.

Microencapsulated stem cells for tissue repairing: implications in cell-based myocardial therapy

Stem cells have the unique properties of self-renewal, pluripotency and a high proliferative capability, which contributes to a large biomass potential. Hence, these cells act as a useful source for acquiring renewable adult cell lines. This, in turn, acts as a potent therapeutic tool to treat various diseases related to the heart, liver and kidney, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. However, a major problem that must be overcome before it can be effectively implemented into the clinical setting is a suitable delivery system that can retain an optimal quantity of the cells at the targeted site for a maximal clinical benefit; a system that will give a mechanical as well as an immune protection to the foreign cells, while at the same time enhancing the yields of differentiated cells, maintaining cell microenvironments and sustaining the differentiated cell functions. To address this issue we opted for a novel delivery system, termed the ‘artificial cells’, which are semipermeable microcapsules with strong and thin multilayer membrane components with specific mass transport properties. Here, we briefly introduce the concept of artificial cells for encapsulation of stem cells and investigate the application of microencapsulation technology as an ideal tool for all stem transplantations and relate their role to the emerging field of cellular cardiomyoplasty.

Alginate-matrigel microencapsulated schwann cells for inducible secretion of glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor

Controlled expression of glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf) can be integrated in the development of a system for repair of injured peripheral nerves. This delivery strategy was demonstrated via inducible Gdnf from microencapsulated cells in barium alginate. The Schwann cell line RT4-D6P2T was initially modified utilizing an ecdysone-based stable transfection system to produce RT4-Gdnf cells. During construct preparation, it was found that C6 cells (where Gdnf cDNA was isolated) make three Gdnf transcript variants. Additionally, the importance of 5' untranslated region to drive biologically-functional Gdnf synthesis was shown. Encapsulation of RT4-Gdnf in 1% alginate was then performed. It was determined that cells were able to survive at least 1 month in vitro using starting densities of 20, 200 and 2000 cells/capsule and barium ion concentrations of 10, 50, 100 and 200 mM. Most importantly, encapsulated cells secreted exogenous Gdnf upon ponasterone A induction. Mixture of basement membrane extract Matrigel to alginate promoted increased proliferation, cell spreading and Gdnf release. Finally, compression tests showed that cell-loaded microcapsules fractured at 75% diameter compression with 38 kPa of stress. Regulated Gdnf release from these microcapsules in vivo may potentially aid in the regeneration of damaged nerves.

Genipin Cross-Linked Polymeric Alginate-Chitosan Microcapsules for Oral Delivery: In-Vitro Analysis

We have previously reported the preparation of the genipin cross-linked alginate-chitosan (GCAC) microcapsules composed of an alginate core with a genipin cross-linked chitosan membrane. This paper is the further investigation on their structural and physical characteristics. Results showed that the GCAC microcapsules had a smooth and dense surface and a networked interior. Cross-linking by genipin substantially reduced swelling and physical disintegration of microcapsules induced by nongelling ions and calcium sequestrants. Strong resistance to mechanical shear forces and enzymatic degradation was observed. Furthermore, the GCAC membranes were permeable to bovine serum albumin and maintained a molecular weight cutoff at 70 KD, analogous to the widely studied alginate-chitosan, and alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate microcapsules. The release features and the tolerance of the GCAC microcapsules in the stimulated gastrointestinal environment were also investigated. This GCAC microcapsule formulation offers significant potential as a delivery vehicle for many biomedical applications.

Live encapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus cells in yogurt for therapeutic oral delivery: preparation and in vitro analysis of alginate–chitosan microcapsulesThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 1 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products

Targeted delivery of live microencapsulated bacterial cells has strong potential for application in treating various diseases, including diarrhea, kidney failure, liver failure, and high cholesterol, among others. This study investigates the potential of microcapsules composed of two natural polymers, alginate and chitosan (AC), and the use of these artificial cells in yogurt for delivery of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus bacterial live cells. Results show that the integrity of AC microcapsules was preserved after 76 h of mechanical shaking in MRS broth and after 12 h and 24 h in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Using an in vitro computer-controlled simulated human gastrointestinal (GI) model, we found 8.37 log CFU/mL of viable bacterial cells were present after 120 min of gastric exposure and 7.96 log CFU/mL after 360 min of intestinal exposure. In addition, AC microcapsules composed of chitosan 10 and 100 at various concentrations were subjected to 4-week storage in 2% milk fat yogurt or 0.85% physiological solution. It was found that 9.37 log CFU/mL of cells encapsulated with chitosan 10 and 8.24 log CFU/mL of cells encapsulated with chitosan 100 were alive after 4 weeks. The AC capsule composed of 0.5% chitosan 10 provided the highest bacterial survival of 9.11 log CFU/mL after 4 weeks. Finally, an investigation of bacterial viability over 72 h in different pH buffers yielded highest survival of 6.34 log CFU/mL and 10.34 log CFU/mL at pH 8 for free and AC-encapsulated cells, respectively. We conclude from these findings that encapsulation allows delivery of a higher number of bacteria to desired targets in the GI tract and that microcapsules containing bacterial cells are good candidates for oral artificial cells for bacterial cell therapy.

Encapsulation of Recombinant Cells with a Novel Magnetized Alginate for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Implanting recombinant cells encapsulated in alginate microcapsules to express therapeutic proteins has been proven effective in treating several mouse models of human diseases (neurological disorders, dwarfism, hemophilia, lysosomal storage disease, and cancer). In anticipation of clinical application, we have reported the synthesis and characterization of a magnetized ferrofluid alginate that potentially allows tracking of these microcapsules in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We now report the properties of these ferrofluid microcapsules important for applications in gene therapy. When a mouse myoblast cell line was encapsulated in these microcapsules, it showed similar viability as in regular unmodified alginate capsules, both in vitro and in vivo, in mice. The permeability of these magnetized microcapsules, a critical parameter for immunoisolation devices, was comparable to that of classic alginate in the transit of various recombinant molecules of various molecular masses (human factor IX, 65 kDa; murine IgG, 150 kDa; and beta-glucuronidase, 300 kDa). When followed by MRI in vitro and in vivo, the ferrofluid microcapsules remained intact and visible for extended periods, allowing quantitative monitoring of microcapsules. At autopsy, the ferrofluid microcapsules were mostly free within the intraperitoneal cavities, with no overt inflammatory response. Serological analyses demonstrated a high level of biocompatibility comparable to that of unmodified alginate. In conclusion, ferrofluid-enhanced alginate microcapsules are comparable to classic alginate microcapsules in permeability and biocompatibility. Their visibility and stability to MRI monitoring permitted qualitative and quantitative tracking of the implanted microcapsules without invasive surgery. These properties are important advantages for the application of immunoisolation devices in human gene therapy.

Artificial Cell Therapy: New Strategies for the Therapeutic Delivery of Live Bacteria

There has been rapid growth in research regarding the use of live bacterial cells for therapeutic purposes. The recognition that these cells can be genetically engineered to synthesize products that have therapeutic potential has generated considerable interest and excitement among clinicians and health professionals. It is expected that a wide range of disease modifying substrates such as enzymes, hormones, antibodies, vaccines, and other genetic products will be used successfully and will impact upon health care substantially. However, a major limitation in the use of these bacterial cells is the complexity of delivering them to the correct target tissues. Oral delivery of live cells, lyophilized cells, and immobilized cells has been attempted but with limited success. Primarily, this is because bacterial cells are incapable of surviving passage through the gastrointestinal tract. In many occasions, when given orally, these cells have been found to provoke immunogenic responses that are undesirable. Recent studies show that these problems can be overcome by delivering live bacterial cells, such as genetically engineered cells, using artificial cell microcapsules. This review summarizes recent advances in the therapeutic use of live bacterial cells for therapy, discusses the principles of using artificial cells for the oral delivery of bacterial cells, outlines methods for preparing suitable artificial cells for this purpose, addresses potentials and limitations for their application in therapy, and provides insight for the future direction of this emergent and highly prospective technology.

Determination of pore diameter and molecular weight cut-off of hydrogel-membrane liquid-core capsules for immunoisolation

The exclusion limit expressed as the largest pore size of capsules composed of hydrogel Ca-alginate membrane and hydroxy-propyl-ammonium starch liquid core considered as the immunoprotective system has been determined by means of inverse size exclusion chromatography with dextran molecular weight standards. The exclusion limits of the capsules were not influenced by the change of starch concentration in the core solution from 4 to 6% but were influenced by the change in alginate concentration in the membrane from 0.5 to 1.0%, causing the membranes to be less permeable. It was found that the diameter of the largest pores in hydrogel membranes was in the range 7.2-8.0 nm. Based on the relationship between solute size and its molecular weight, the capsules had an approximate exclusion limit of 21-25 kD for dextran and 78-103 kD for protein, which is sufficient to block the antibodies penetrating through the membrane.

Technology of mammalian cell encapsulation

Entrapment of mammalian cells in physical membranes has been practiced since the early 1950s when it was originally introduced as a basic research tool. The method has since been developed based on the promise of its therapeutic usefulness in tissue transplantation. Encapsulation physically isolates a cell mass from an outside environment and aims to maintain normal cellular physiology within a desired permeability barrier. Numerous encapsulation techniques have been developed over the years. These techniques are generally classified as microencapsulation (involving small spherical vehicles and conformally coated tissues) and macroencapsulation (involving larger flat-sheet and hollow-fiber membranes). This review is intended to summarize techniques of cell encapsulation as well as methods for evaluating the performance of encapsulated cells. The techniques reviewed include microencapsulation with polyelectrolyte complexation emphasizing alginate-polylysine capsules, thermoreversible gelation with agarose as a prototype system, interfacial precipitation and interfacial polymerization, as well as the technology of flat sheet and hollow fiber-based macroencapsulation. Four aspects of encapsulated cells that are critical for the success of the technology, namely the capsule permeability, mechanical properties, immune protection and biocompatibility, have been singled out and methods to evaluate these properties were summarized. Finally, speculations regarding future directions of cell encapsulation research and device development are included from the authors' perspective.

Encapsulation of various recombinant mammalian cell types in different alginate microcapsules

Microencapsulation of recombinant "universal" cells with immunoprotective membranes is an alternate approach to somatic gene therapy. Therapeutic gene products secreted by these cells can be delivered to different patients without immunosuppression or genetic modification of the host's cells. The encapsulation of different mammalian cell types (epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and myoblasts) is compared among three alginate-based microcapsules: (1) calcium-linked alginate microcapsules with a solubilized core and a poly-L-lysine-alginate-laminated surface; (2) barium-linked alginate beads with a gelled core; and (3) a hybrid formulation of barium-linked alginate beads with a poly-L-lysine-alginate-laminated surface. The mechanical stability of the different microcapsule types, as measured with a cone-and-plate shearing apparatus, was superior in the two barium-linked alginate beads. All cell types maintained high viability (65-90%) in culture after encapsulation. The recombinant gene products secreted by these cells (human growth hormone MW = 22,000, human factor IX MW = 57,000, and murine beta-glucuronidase MW = 300,000) were able to traverse the three microcapsule types at similar rates. Cell numbers within the microcapsules increased twofold to > 20-fold over 4 weeks, depending on the cell type. Epithelial and myoblast cell numbers were not affected by microcapsule formulation; however, fibroblasts proliferated the most in the calcium-linked alginate spheres. These results show that for culturing fibroblasts in a mechanically stable environment the classical calcium-linked microcapsules are adequate. However, where mechanical stability is a more critical requirement, the solid barium-linked gelled beads are more appropriate choices.

Development of engineered cells for implantation in gene therapy

Human gene therapy is based on the technology of genetic engineering of cells, either through ex vivo or in vivo methods of gene transfer. Many autologous cell types have been successfully modified to deliver recombinant gene products. An alternate form of gene therapy based on genetic modification of non-autologous cells is described. Protection within immuno-isolating devices would allow implantation of well-established recombinant cell lines in different allogeneic hosts, potentially offering a more cost-effective approach to gene therapy. Implantation with microencapsulated fibroblasts and myoblasts has resulted in successful recombinant product delivery in vivo. Correction of disease phenotypes in animal models of human genetic diseases has also been achieved. Cell types such as myoblasts which can differentiate terminally within the implantation device are particularly promising for the future development of this method of gene therapy.

Microcapsules as bio-organs for somatic gene therapy

Current human gene therapy relies on genetic modification of the patient's own cells. An alternate non-autologous approach is to use universal cell lines engineered to secrete therapeutic products. Protection with immuno-isolation devices would allow the same recombinant cell line to be used for different patients, thus potentially lowering the cost of treatment. The feasibility of this idea has now been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Recombinant gene products with potential therapeutic applications (human growth hormone, factor IX, lysosomal enzymes, adenosine deaminase) have been expressed from genetically modified cells after encapsulation with alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate or hydroxyethyl methacrylate-methyl methacrylate. We have also demonstrated the feasibility of this idea in vivo. After intraperitoneal implantation, genetically modified mouse Ltk- fibroblasts or C2C12 myoblasts encapsulated in alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate could deliver recombinant gene products (human growth hormone, human factor IX) to the systemic circulation of mice. The clinical efficacy of this novel approach to gene therapy has now been shown in murine models of human diseases. In the Snell dwarf mice deficient in growth hormone production, implantation of encapsulated mouse myoblasts engineered to secrete mouse growth hormone resulted in increases in body weight, length and organ sizes, some to > 25% above those of the controls. In the Gus/Gus mice suffering from the lysosomal storage disease mucopolysaccharidosis type VII due to deficient beta-glucuronidase, implantation of encapsulated mouse fibroblasts engineered to secrete mouse beta-glucuronidase resulted in delivery of normal levels of the enzyme in the plasma and significant correction of the organ histopathology. Hence, delivery of recombinant gene products through bioartificial devices appears to be a promising strategy for the treatment of genetic diseases.