TY - JOUR
T1 - Mechanically reinforced hydrogel vehicle delivering angiogenic factor for beta cell therapy
AU - Toftdal, Mette Steen
AU - Christensen, Natasja Porskjær
AU - Kadumudi, Firoz Babu
AU - Dolatshahi-Pirouz, Alireza
AU - Grunnet, Lars Groth
AU - Chen, Menglin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disease affecting millions worldwide. Insulin therapy is currently the golden standard for treating T1DM; however, it does not restore the normal glycaemic balance entirely, which increases the risk of secondary complications. Beta-cell therapy may be a possible way of curing T1DM and has already shown promising results in the clinic. However, low retention rates, poor cell survival, and limited therapeutic potential are ongoing challenges, thus increasing the need for better cell encapsulation devices. This study aimed to develop a mechanically reinforced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-delivering encapsulation device suitable for beta cell encapsulation and transplantation. Poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL)/gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)/alginate coaxial nanofibres were produced using electrospinning and embedded in an alginate hydrogel. The encapsulation device was physically and biologically characterised and was found to be suitable for INS-1E beta cell encapsulation, vascularization, and transplantation in terms of its biocompatibility, porosity, swelling ratio and mechanical properties. Lastly, VEGF was incorporated into the hydrogel and the release kinetics and functional studies revealed a sustained release of bioactive VEGF for at least 14 days, making the modified alginate system a promising candidate for improving the beta cell survival after transplantation.
AB - Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disease affecting millions worldwide. Insulin therapy is currently the golden standard for treating T1DM; however, it does not restore the normal glycaemic balance entirely, which increases the risk of secondary complications. Beta-cell therapy may be a possible way of curing T1DM and has already shown promising results in the clinic. However, low retention rates, poor cell survival, and limited therapeutic potential are ongoing challenges, thus increasing the need for better cell encapsulation devices. This study aimed to develop a mechanically reinforced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-delivering encapsulation device suitable for beta cell encapsulation and transplantation. Poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL)/gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)/alginate coaxial nanofibres were produced using electrospinning and embedded in an alginate hydrogel. The encapsulation device was physically and biologically characterised and was found to be suitable for INS-1E beta cell encapsulation, vascularization, and transplantation in terms of its biocompatibility, porosity, swelling ratio and mechanical properties. Lastly, VEGF was incorporated into the hydrogel and the release kinetics and functional studies revealed a sustained release of bioactive VEGF for at least 14 days, making the modified alginate system a promising candidate for improving the beta cell survival after transplantation.
KW - Beta cell
KW - Drug release
KW - Electrospinning
KW - Hydrogel
KW - VEGF
U2 - 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.050
DO - 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.050
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 38615623
AN - SCOPUS:85190250014
SN - 0021-9797
VL - 667
SP - 54
EP - 63
JO - Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
JF - Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
ER -