Derivation and performance of an entirely autologous injectable hydrogel delivery system for cell-based therapies.
A host-derived hydrogel has been designed and validated as an entirely autologous, injectable delivery system for cells with potential for cell-based therapies and tissue engineering applications. Each individual has components in their blood from which can be formed a mechanically stable hydrogel having the capacity to maintain cellular phenotype and support cellular proliferation of multiple cell types through several culture passages ex vivo. The hydrogel can be triggered to gel at the time of implantation into the patient through an injection system that facilitates a liquid injection of components of the donor plasma and cells into the site of interest. This results in stable ectopic tissue formation at the site of implantation. Our studies have demonstrated excellent integration of the neotissue with host tissues with maintenance of the phenotype of implanted cells whilst observing minimal host innate immune cell recruitment. These findings could provide the fundamental basis for new hydrogel-based biomaterial therapies, overcoming the histocompatibility factors associated with implantable biomaterials whilst providing a stable three dimensional medium for cellular growth both in vivo and ex vivo.
Division of Clinical Engineering, UKCTE, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, United Kingdom.
Nicholas
N
Bryan
Nicholas P
NP
Rhodes
John A
JA
Hunt
D000818:Animals; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002828:Choristoma / Q000378:metabolism; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate