title: Phosphorylcholine-containing polymers for use in cell encapsulation.
abstract: A model system for encapsulation of pancreatic islets which has potential properties for improving biocompatibility and immunosuppression was investigated. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that phosphorylcholine-containing polymers have high biocompatibility due to low adsorption of proteins and reduced thrombus formation. Encapsulation of islets isolated from rats with a compound membrane composed of phosphorylcholine-containing polymers and cellulose acetate led to rapid insulin production and diffusion across the membrane in response to glucose challenge. The phosphorylcholine-containing polymer had a molecular weight of about 1.3 x 10(4) Da. The polymer-coated membrane excluded larger molecules such as IgG (molecular weight 150 kDa), thereby acting as a physical immuno-barrier, but allowed smaller molecules such as glucose and insulin to pass through.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Science and Technology in Medicine, School of Medicine, Keele University, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, UK. bea00@keele.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Sifu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Alicia J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: El Haj
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010539:Permeability; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007328:Insulin; D011108:Polymers; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; C005062:acetylcellulose; D002482:Cellulose; D005947:Glucose