Silicone cryogel skeletons enhance the survival and mechanical integrity of hydrogel-encapsulated cell therapies.
Sci Adv
; 10(14): eadk5949, 2024 Apr 05.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38578991
ABSTRACT
The transplantation of engineered cells that secrete therapeutic proteins presents a promising method for addressing a range of chronic diseases. However, hydrogels used to encase and protect non-autologous cells from immune rejection often suffer from poor mechanical properties, insufficient oxygenation, and fibrotic encapsulation. Here, we introduce a composite encapsulation system comprising an oxygen-permeable silicone cryogel skeleton, a hydrogel matrix, and a fibrosis-resistant polymer coating. Cryogel skeletons enhance the fracture toughness of conventional alginate hydrogels by 23-fold and oxygen diffusion by 2.8-fold, effectively mitigating both implant fracture and hypoxia of encapsulated cells. Composite implants containing xenogeneic cells engineered to secrete erythropoietin significantly outperform unsupported alginate implants in therapeutic delivery over 8 weeks in immunocompetent mice. By improving mechanical resiliency and sustaining denser cell populations, silicone cryogel skeletons enable more durable and miniaturized therapeutic implants.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Hidrogéis
/
Criogéis
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sci Adv
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos
País de publicação:
Estados Unidos