Preparation of hydrogel hollow particles for cell encapsulation by a method of polyester core degradation

Toward Customized Extracellular Niche Engineering: Progress in Cell-Entrapment Technologies

The primary aim in tissue engineering is to repair, replace, and regenerate dysfunctional tissues to restore homeostasis. Cell delivery for repair and regeneration is gaining impetus with our understanding of constructing tissue-like environments. However, the perpetual challenge is to identify innovative materials or re-engineer natural materials to model cell-specific tissue-like 3D modules, which can seamlessly integrate and restore functions of the target organ. To devise an optimal functional microenvironment, it is essential to define how simple is complex enough to trigger tissue regeneration or restore cellular function. Here, the purposeful transition of cell immobilization from a cytoprotection point of view to that of a cell-instructive approach is examined, with advances in the understanding of cell-material interactions in a 3D context, and with a view to further application of the knowledge for the development of newer and complex hierarchical tissue assemblies for better examination of cell behavior and offering customized cell-based therapies for tissue engineering.

Size and specificity of radiopharmaceuticals for sentinel lymph node detection

BACKGROUND

Biological performance of radiotracers for sentinel node detection analyzed in the light of molecular design and dimension is not widely available.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of dextran molecular size and the presence of tissue-binding units (mannose) within the model of (99m)Tc-carbonyl conjugate for sentinel lymph node detection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Four dextran conjugates with and without mannose in the chemical backbone were included. All polymers were radiolabeled using the precursor [(99m)Tc(OH(2))(3)(CO)(3)](+). Radiolabeling conditions targeted the best radiochemical purity and specific activity for each radiopharmaceutical, and partition coefficients were also defined. Lymphoscintigraphy and ex-vivo biodistribution in popliteal lymph node, liver and kidneys were performed in Wistar rats. The effects of molecular weight and mannose presence were assessed by a two-level factorial design.

RESULTS

Radiochemical purity was indirectly related to molecular weight and presence of mannose in the polymer structure. All products were able to detect popliteal lymph node, however, uptake was strongly influenced by use of mannose (4-fold higher). Excretion was similarly modulated by differences in molecular weight. Mannose-enhanced lymph node uptake and higher molecule size in the range under study benefitted lymphoscintigraphic performance.

CONCLUSION

Screening of radiopharmaceuticals for lymphoscintigraphy might improve with attention to the mentioned physico-chemical features of the molecule.

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.

Effect of interfacial free energy on the formation of polymer microcapsules by emulsification/freeze-drying

Hollow polymer microparticles with a single opening on the surface were formed by freeze-drying aqueous polymer colloids swollen with solvent. The results show that the particle morphology is due to phase separation in the polymer emulsion droplets upon freezing in liquid nitrogen, and that morphological changes are driven largely by lowering interfacial free energy. The effects of added surfactant, volume fraction of solvent, type of solvent, and processing conditions on the particle morphology were examined and compared to theoretical predictions. The dried hollow particles were resuspended in a dispersing media and exposed to a second swelling solvent to close the surface opening and form microcapsules. The interfacial free energy difference between the inside and outside surfaces is the driving force for closing the hole on the surface. The emulsification/freeze-drying technique can be used to encapsulate hydrophilic additives in the core of the microcapsules, demonstrating the potential of the technique in controlled-release applications.