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Magnetic and Thermal-sensitive PolyN-isopropylacrylamide-based Microgels for Magnetically Triggered Controlled Release
Published on: July 4, 2017
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Microgels produced using microfluidic on-chip polymer blending for controlled released of VEGF encoding lentivectors
Justin L Madrigal1, Shonit N Sharma1, Kevin T Campbell1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Acta Biomaterialia
|February 6, 2018
Summary
Alginate microgels offer controlled release of genetic therapeutics. Combining microgels with different properties tunes release rates, enhancing delivery for conditions like cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Alginate hydrogels are biocompatible delivery vehicles but often exhibit uncontrolled burst release or prolonged retention.
- Current genetic therapeutic delivery methods lack precise spatial and temporal control.
- Developing advanced delivery systems is crucial for treating diseases like ischemic cardiovascular disease with genetic therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of alginate microgels for controlled release of genetic vectors.
- To explore how combining microgels with distinct properties can tune the release profile of composite suspensions.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of these microgel systems in a biological model.
Main Methods:
- On-chip polymer blending and droplet microfluidics were used to create composite alginate microgel suspensions.
- Physicochemical properties, including alginate percentage and degradation, were adjusted to modulate cargo release.
- Lentivectors encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were encapsulated and released.
- The efficacy of microgel-delivered VEGF lentivectors was evaluated using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.
Main Results:
- Microgel degradation significantly increased lentivector release by 3-fold over 10 days, achieving near-complete release.
- Controlling the amount of degradable alginate allowed for adjustable relative release rates.
- Alginate percentage had a minimal impact on lentivector release kinetics.
- VEGF-lentivector loaded microgels induced a proangiogenic response in the CAM assay.
Conclusions:
- Blended alginate microgel suspensions provide a tunable platform for controlled release of genetic vectors.
- Microgel degradation is a key factor in modulating therapeutic cargo release rates.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for enhancing the delivery of lentivectors and similarly sized therapeutics for various diseases.
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