Graphene oxide enhances alginate encapsulated cells viability and functionality while not affecting the foreign body...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Alginate microencapsulation faces challenges in long-term cell survival and sustained therapeutic protein release.
• Protein-coated graphene oxide (GO) integrated with microencapsulation shows potential for improved cell delivery.
• Previous studies utilized smaller (160µm) hybrid microcapsules with murine myoblasts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of increased microcapsule size (380µm) on cell survival and protein release.
• To evaluate the efficacy of larger hybrid alginate-protein-coated GO microcapsules with different cell types.
• To assess the in vivo performance and immune response of these enhanced microcapsules.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of hybrid alginate-protein-coated GO microcapsules with diameters of 160µm and 380µm.
• Encapsulation of genetically engineered murine C2C12 myoblasts (C2C12-EPO) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secreting erythropoietin (D1-MSCs-EPO).
• In vitro assessment of cell survival and protein release, followed by in vivo implantation in mice to monitor hematocrit levels and immune response.

Main Results:

• Encapsulated C2C12-EPO cells in 380µm microcapsules exhibited enhanced survival and greater therapeutic protein secretion compared to 160µm capsules.
• In vitro studies confirmed improved survival and sustained protein release for D1-MSCs-EPO cells within 380µm hybrid microcapsules.
• In vivo implantation in allogeneic mice demonstrated increased hematocrit levels with both cell types in 380µm microcapsules, with MSCs showing a lower immune response.

Conclusions:

• Increasing the diameter of hybrid alginate-protein-coated GO microcapsules to 380µm significantly improves long-term cell survival and therapeutic protein release.
• This optimized microencapsulation strategy is effective for both engineered myoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells.
• The findings represent a significant advancement toward the clinical translation of protein-coated GO in cell microencapsulation for therapeutic protein delivery.