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Silk fibroin microgels as a platform for cell microencapsulation.
Nina Bono1, Giulio Saroglia2,3, Stefania Marcuzzo4
1Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milan, Italy. nina.bono@polimi.it.
Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine
|December 31, 2022
Summary
Silk fibroin microgels encapsulate cells, enabling selective release of therapeutic proteins. This versatile platform supports cell function and promotes tissue regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Cell Encapsulation Technology
Background:
- Cell microencapsulation shields cells while allowing molecular exchange.
- Hydrogels offer structural support and controlled release for encapsulated biologics.
- Silk fibroin (SF) is a promising biomaterial for cell delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a straightforward method for fabricating silk fibroin microgels (µgels) for cell encapsulation.
- To characterize the physicochemical and mechanical properties of SF µgels.
- To evaluate the cell viability, function, and release capabilities of encapsulated cells within SF µgels.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of SF µgels via ultrasonication-induced gelation in an emulsion.
- Physicochemical characterization using SEM and FT-IR.
- Mechanical testing via microindentation.
- Encapsulation and culture of L929 and primary myoblasts.
- Assessment of selective protein release based on molecular weight.
Main Results:
- SF µgels (≈200 µm) were successfully fabricated with controlled nanostructure, porosity, and stiffness.
- Encapsulated L929 and primary myoblasts maintained viability and function.
- SF µgels demonstrated selective release of small proteins (e.g., VEGF, 40 kDa) while retaining larger molecules (160 kDa).
Conclusions:
- Silk fibroin microgels provide a versatile platform for cell encapsulation and controlled release.
- The selective permeability of SF µgels can be tuned for specific therapeutic applications.
- This technology holds potential for regenerative medicine by facilitating paracrine factor delivery for tissue repair.
