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Microfluidic Encapsulation of Single Cells by Alginate Microgels Using a Trigger-Gellified Strategy
Fei Shao1, Lei Yu1, Yang Zhang2
1Key State Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|November 6, 2020
Summary
This study presents a biocompatible microfluidic method for encapsulating single cells using alginate microgels. On-chip triggered gelation with calcium-nitrilotriacetic (Ca-NTA) significantly improves cell viability and maintains cell function for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microfluidics
- Cell Encapsulation Technology
Background:
- Microfluidics enables high-throughput cell encapsulation in alginate microgels.
- Harsh gelation conditions compromise cell viability and function, posing a challenge for applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient and biocompatible method for single-cell encapsulation using microfluidic alginate microgels.
- To compare calcium-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Ca-EDTA) and calcium-nitrilotriacetic (Ca-NTA) for on-chip triggered gelation.
Main Methods:
- On-chip triggered gelation of alginate using calcium complexes (Ca-EDTA, Ca-NTA) and acetic acid.
- Investigated the release of Ca2+ ions and subsequent crosslinking of alginate.
- Assessed cell viability and functionality of encapsulated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Main Results:
- Both Ca-EDTA and Ca-NTA enabled on-chip alginate microgel formation.
- Ca-NTA resulted in significantly higher cell viability compared to Ca-EDTA due to milder Ca2+ ion release conditions.
- Encapsulated MSCs using Ca-NTA demonstrated osteogenic differentiation, confirming functionality.
Conclusions:
- A biocompatible strategy for microfluidic alginate microgel production via on-chip triggered gelation was established.
- Ca-NTA is a superior crosslinker for achieving high cell viability in microfluidic single-cell encapsulation.
- This method holds promise for advanced applications in tissue engineering and cell therapies.
