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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 12, 2012
Biocompatibility and membrane strength of C3H10T1/2 cell-loaded alginate-based microcapsules
1Institute of Cryomedical Technology and Food Freezing, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Background:
C3H10T1/2 cells, from a mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line, were used to investigate the improvement of alginate-based microencapsulated cells for cellular therapy.
Methods:
Purified sodium alginate (PSA) and non-purified sodium alginate (SA) were used to prepare alginate-based microcapsules, and their biocompatibility and membrane strength were then compared for the purposes of analyzing the advantages of purifying SA. In addition, poly-l-lysine (PLL) was replaced by chitosan for alginate-chitosan microcapsule preparation. The process of optimization and chemical modification of alginate-chitosan microcapsules using polyethylene glycol was also reviewed.
Results:
The results showed improved biocompatibility and membrane strength of PSA-based microcapsules. Under optimal conditions, mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-loaded alginate-chitosan microcapsules with good morphology could be obtained using PSA and chitosans of medium molecular weight (1.0-2.5 x 10(5)). A chitosan solution of 0.1% (w/v) and a reaction time of 7 min between alginate and chitosan were determined as optimal preparation parameters.
Discussion:
It could be concluded that the chemical modification of alginate-based microcapsules can improve their biocompatibility.
