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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
10:33
Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 12, 2012
20.8K
Polyethylenimine Inclusion to Develop Aqueous Alginate-Based Core-Shell Capsules for Biomedical Applications
Asma Sadat Vaziri1,2, Maryam Alizadeh2, Ebrahim Vasheghani-Farahani1
1Biomedical Engineering Division, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-111, Iran.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 13, 2024
Summary
This study introduces novel alginate-based liquid-core-shell capsules for 3D cell culture. These improved capsules enhance structural stability and promote cell growth for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Aqueous core-shell structures facilitate 3D spheroid formation with in vivo-like cell-to-cell contacts.
- Alginate (ALG) capsules have limitations in structural stability and cell recognition.
- Polyethylenimine (PEI) offers potential to enhance alginate-based systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel strategy for fabricating stable liquid-core-shell capsules using alginate, polyethylenimine, and alginate dialdehyde.
- To investigate the structural, mechanical, and biological properties of the fabricated capsules.
- To evaluate the potential of these capsules as a platform for 3D cell cultivation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of capsules via inverse gelation of alginate and layer-by-layer coating with polyethylenimine and alginate dialdehyde.
- Characterization using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy.
- Assessment of mechanical properties (effective modulus), antibacterial activity, cell viability, and spheroid formation.
Main Results:
- Spherical hollow capsules (ALG/PEI/ADA) with increased outer diameters were successfully fabricated.
- Effective modulus significantly increased for PEI and PEI/ADA modified capsules compared to bare ALG capsules.
- PEI-coated capsules exhibited antibacterial properties, and all capsules demonstrated cytocompatibility.
- Encapsulated cells proliferated and formed spheroids, with increasing thickness over 5 days.
Conclusions:
- The developed alginate/PEI/ADA capsules offer enhanced structural stability and cytocompatibility.
- This novel encapsulation protocol provides an effective in vitro platform for 3D cell cultivation.
- The adaptable system holds promise for various biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and drug delivery.
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