title: Encapsulation, in vitro characterization, and in vivo biocompatibility of Sertoli cells in alginate-based microcapsules.
abstract: A method for microencapsulation of isolated neonatal porcine Sertoli cells is described. Using a conventional alginate-poli-L-ornithine encapsulation procedure, which has been used in our laboratory for almost two decades to envelop pancreatic islets, we observed significant loss of Sertoli cell viability, possibly due to excessive Ca(2+) ion exposure. Replacing calcium with barium, or shortening the incubation period in the presence of Ca ions, we obtained barium or calcium alginate gel microbeads that did not alter morphology and viability of the encapsulated Sertoli cells. The procedure might permit access to a novel approach to immunologically alter cell graft acceptance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luca
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calvitti
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nastruzzi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bilancetti
authors.forename: Ennio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Becchetti
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Angeletti
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mancuso
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Calafiore
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002214:Capsules; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002214:Capsules; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D020723:Glucuronic Acid