Critical factors affecting cell encapsulation in superporous hydrogels

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Stem Cell Biology

Background:

• Superporous hydrogel (SPH) scaffolds previously demonstrated efficacy in promoting stem cell viability and mineralization when cells were seeded post-fabrication.
• Further investigation into SPHs is warranted to explore the feasibility of encapsulating cells directly within the hydrogel matrix during its formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the impact of chemical components and fabrication steps on cell viability during SPH fabrication.
• To assess the overall survival rate of encapsulated cells within SPHs over time.

Main Methods:

• Systematic examination of the toxicity of individual chemical components (ammonium persulfate, sodium bicarbonate) and fabrication steps on encapsulated cells.
• Quantification of cell survival rates following exposure to specific chemicals and pH changes.
• Assessment of long-term cell viability (48 and 72 hours) within the SPH matrix.

Main Results:

• Ammonium persulfate and sodium bicarbonate, essential for SPH fabrication, exhibited significant toxicity to encapsulated cells.
• Sodium bicarbonate-induced pH changes also negatively impacted cell viability.
• Despite these challenges, encapsulated cells demonstrated notable survival rates of 81.2% ± 6.8% at 48 hours and 67.0% ± 0.9% at 72 hours.

Conclusions:

• Cell encapsulation within SPHs during fabrication is feasible, though chemical components and pH shifts pose toxicity challenges.
• SPHs show promise as a versatile scaffold material for both in vitro and in vivo applications, supporting encapsulated cells and cell seeding.
• Optimization of SPH fabrication protocols is crucial to mitigate component toxicity and maximize cell viability for regenerative medicine.