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Microencapsulation of porcine thyroid cell organoids within a polymer microcapsule construct
Yipeng Yang1,2, Emmanuel C Opara2, Yingbin Liu1
11 General Surgery Department and Laboratory of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood, N.J.)
|October 7, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed microencapsulated porcine thyroid cells to treat hypothyroidism. This novel approach offers a potential alternative to oral thyroid hormone replacement therapy, improving hormone delivery and patient compliance.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Endocrinology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Hypothyroidism requires lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
- Current oral treatments present compliance challenges and potential side effects.
- A physiologically based alternative therapy is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microencapsulation method for porcine thyroid cells as a novel therapeutic approach for hypothyroidism.
- To assess the viability, proliferation, and hormone release of encapsulated porcine thyroid cells.
- To evaluate the potential of microencapsulated thyroid cells for long-term hormone secretion without immunosuppression.
Main Methods:
- Porcine thyroid cells were isolated and encapsulated in alginate-poly-L-ornithine-alginate microcapsules using a microfluidic device.
- Cell viability, proliferation, and thyroxine release were monitored over time.
- The hybrid polymer wall was designed to allow hormone release while blocking antibodies.
Main Results:
- Encapsulated porcine thyroid cells formed viable three-dimensional follicular spheres.
- Cell proliferation and viability were maintained within the microcapsules.
- Thyroxine release from encapsulated cells was significantly higher and sustained for over 28 days compared to unencapsulated cells.
Conclusions:
- Microencapsulated porcine thyroid cells demonstrate potential as a therapeutic strategy for hypothyroidism.
- This approach may overcome limitations of current oral hormone replacement therapy.
- The microcapsule system shows promise for future applications in hormone therapy and drug screening.
