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Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 12, 2012
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Polymeric Materials for Perm-Selective Coating of Alginate Microbeads
William F Kendall1, Emmanuel C Opara2,3
1Department of Surgery, Sanford Health, 1508 W 22nd Street Suite 101, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA. kenda001@gmail.com.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|October 15, 2016
Summary
Microencapsulation using alginate and poly-L-lysine (PLL) or poly-L-ornithine (PLO) coatings can protect pancreatic islets for transplantation. This method may enable Type 1 diabetes treatment without immunosuppression and allow xenografts.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Transplantation Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Microencapsulation of pancreatic islets is a promising strategy for Type 1 diabetes treatment.
- Current methods aim to immunoisolate islets, avoiding immunosuppressive drugs and enabling xenotransplantation.
- Alginate is a common material for islet encapsulation but lacks sufficient permselectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a protocol for perm-selective coating of alginate microbeads for islet transplantation.
- To enhance the immunoisolation of encapsulated pancreatic islets.
- To facilitate the use of islet transplantation for Type 1 diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Microencapsulation of pancreatic islets using alginate.
- Coating alginate microbeads with poly-L-lysine (PLL) or poly-L-ornithine (PLO) to achieve permselectivity.
- Detailed protocol for the perm-selective coating process.
Main Results:
- Established a reliable methodology for perm-selective coating of alginate microbeads.
- Demonstrated the potential for immunoisolation of encapsulated islets.
- The protocol addresses limitations of alginate's inherent permselectivity.
Conclusions:
- The described protocol for perm-selective coating of alginate microbeads is crucial for successful islet transplantation.
- This approach offers a pathway to circumvent the need for immunosuppressive drugs in Type 1 diabetes treatment.
- The technology holds potential for expanding the donor pool through xenografts.
