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Supramolecular Responsive Chitosan Microcarriers for Cell Detachment Triggered by Adamantane
Lixia Huang1, Yifei Jiang1, Xinying Chen2
1Hubei Key Laboratory of Purification and Application of Plant Anti-Cancer Active Ingredients, School of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Hubei University of Education, Wuhan 430205, China.
Polymers
|October 14, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed supramolecular responsive microcarriers using chitosan microspheres and gelatin for cell culture. These microcarriers support cell growth and enable nonenzymatic cell detachment with adamantane, offering potential for reuse.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Cell detachment is crucial for tissue engineering and cell-based therapies.
- Current methods often involve enzymes that can harm cells.
- Developing nonenzymatic, biocompatible detachment strategies is highly desirable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create novel supramolecular responsive microcarriers for cell culture.
- To evaluate their efficacy in supporting cell attachment, expansion, and nonenzymatic detachment.
- To explore the potential reusability of these microcarriers.
Main Methods:
- Chitosan microspheres (CSMs) were synthesized via emulsion crosslinking.
- CSM surfaces were modified with beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) through chemical grafting.
- Gelatin was attached to β-CD-modified CSMs via host-guest interactions, forming CSM-g-CD-Gel.
- Human fetal hepatocyte line (L-02) was used to assess cell attachment and expansion.
- Nonenzymatic cell detachment was induced using adamantane (AD).
Main Results:
- CSM-g-CD-Gel microspheres demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and supported L-02 cell attachment and expansion.
- Cells successfully covered the microcarrier surfaces after 48 hours of incubation.
- Addition of adamantane triggered efficient, nonenzymatic cell detachment along with gelatin.
- The competitive binding between β-CD and AD was identified as the detachment mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Supramolecular responsive microcarriers (CSM-g-CD-Gel) effectively support cell expansion.
- These microcarriers enable nonenzymatic cell detachment triggered by adamantane.
- The system shows potential for reusable cell culture platforms through cycles of attachment and detachment.
