title: Behavior of adult human mesenchymal stem cells entrapped in alginate-GRGDY beads.
abstract: This study demonstrates that adult human mesenchymal cells (MSC) can be encapsulated in alginate beads with a substantially retained viability (>80%) and that a Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Tyr (GRGDY) derivative encourages attachment and elongation to form a dense network of cells that is required for a tissue substitute. Because the availability of autologous human material is severely limited, we used and examined the beads in this study as a proxy for larger constructs. These bead constructs were assessed using phase contrast microscopy and standard histological preparations. In addition, we used a modified MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay to examine cell proliferation by dissociating the cell/alginate constructs using trisodium citrate and trypsin/EDTA. MSCs did not proliferate within the alginate-GRGDY matrix during the 2 weeks examined. These results were further substantiated by concurrent cell density measurements using a hemocytometer. In addition, the glucose consumption rate was measured and compared to that of MSCs grown in two-dimensional culture vessels, indicating steady consumption albeit at a lower level in the entrapped MSCs.
authors: Department of Biochemical Engineering, Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Julia F
authors: JF
authors: Markusen
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Mason
authors: Dearbhla A
authors: DA
authors: Hull
authors: Martin A
authors: MA
authors: Town
authors: Alethea B
authors: AB
authors: Tabor
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Clements
authors: Christopher H
authors: CH
authors: Boshoff
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Dunnill