Cell microencapsulation has been utilized for years as a means of cell shielding from the external environment while facilitating the transport of gases, general metabolites, and secretory bioactive molecules at once. In this light, hydrogels may support the structural integrity and functionality of encapsulated biologics whereas ensuring cell viability and function and releasing potential therapeutic factors once in situ. In this work, we describe a straightforward strategy to fabricate silk fibroin (SF) microgels (mu gels) and encapsulate cells into them. SF mu gels (size & AP; 200 mu m) were obtained through ultrasonication-induced gelation of SF in a water-oil emulsion phase. A thorough physicochemical (SEM analysis, and FT-IR) and mechanical (microindentation tests) characterization of SF mu gels were carried out to assess their nanostructure, porosity, and stiffness. SF mu gels were used to encapsulate and culture L929 and primary myoblasts. Interestingly, SF mu gels showed a selective release of relatively small proteins (e.g., VEGF, molecular weight, M-W = 40 kDa) by the encapsulated primary myoblasts, while bigger (macro)molecules (M-W = 160 kDa) were hampered to diffusing through the mu gels. This article provided the groundwork to expand the use of SF hydrogels into a versatile platform for encapsulating relevant cells able to release paracrine factors potentially regulating tissue and/or organ functions, thus promoting their regeneration.
Silk fibroin microgels as a platform for cell microencapsulation / N. Bono, G. Saroglia, S. Marcuzzo, E. Giagnorio, G. Lauria, E. Rosini, L. De Nardo, A. Athanassiou, G. Candiani, G. Perotto. - In: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE. - ISSN 0957-4530. - 34:1(2022 Dec 31), pp. 3.1-3.12. [10.1007/s10856-022-06706-y]
Silk fibroin microgels as a platform for cell microencapsulation
G. Lauria;
2022
Abstract
Cell microencapsulation has been utilized for years as a means of cell shielding from the external environment while facilitating the transport of gases, general metabolites, and secretory bioactive molecules at once. In this light, hydrogels may support the structural integrity and functionality of encapsulated biologics whereas ensuring cell viability and function and releasing potential therapeutic factors once in situ. In this work, we describe a straightforward strategy to fabricate silk fibroin (SF) microgels (mu gels) and encapsulate cells into them. SF mu gels (size & AP; 200 mu m) were obtained through ultrasonication-induced gelation of SF in a water-oil emulsion phase. A thorough physicochemical (SEM analysis, and FT-IR) and mechanical (microindentation tests) characterization of SF mu gels were carried out to assess their nanostructure, porosity, and stiffness. SF mu gels were used to encapsulate and culture L929 and primary myoblasts. Interestingly, SF mu gels showed a selective release of relatively small proteins (e.g., VEGF, molecular weight, M-W = 40 kDa) by the encapsulated primary myoblasts, while bigger (macro)molecules (M-W = 160 kDa) were hampered to diffusing through the mu gels. This article provided the groundwork to expand the use of SF hydrogels into a versatile platform for encapsulating relevant cells able to release paracrine factors potentially regulating tissue and/or organ functions, thus promoting their regeneration.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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