Encapsulation of artificial tissues in polyelectrolyte complexes: preliminary studies

The in vitro engineering of vital tissues from isolated cells requires primarily the synthesis of a new intercellular matrix. Structural components of the extracellular matrix are large molecules such as collagens and proteoglycans. To retain and accumulate new matrix molecules within three-dimensional cell cultures, chondrocyte-polymer constructs were encapsulated in polyelectrolyte complex membranes. Further, these membranes might also be relevant for other applications where cells or tissues have to be isolated from their environment by semipermeable structures.