title: Core-cross-linked alginate microcapsules for cell encapsulation.
abstract: Self-cross-linkable polyelectrolyte pairs comprised of poly(methacrylic acid, sodium salt-co-2-[methacryloyloxy]ethyl acetoacetate) (70:30 mol ratio, A70) and poly-L-lysine are incorporated into CaAlg beads to form either a covalently cross-linked shell or a core-cross-linked bead. In both cases the reactive polyanion is added to a solution of sodium alginate that may contain live cells and dropped into a calcium chloride gelling bath. Subsequent exposure to poly-L-lysine (15-30 kDa) leads to formation of a cross-linked shell, while exposure to lower molecular weight poly-L-lysine (4-15 kDa) leads to formation of an interpenetrating matrix of covalently cross-linked synthetic polymer within the CaAlg template. The resulting spherical composites are resistant to chemical and mechanical stress yet remain cyto-compatible. This approach to cell-encapsulation may be useful for cell immuno-isolation in therapeutic cell transplants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: M A Jafar
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mazumder
authors.forename: Nicholas A D
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Murray A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: Harald D H
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Stöver
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules; D002460:Cell Line; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D010539:Permeability; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D002214:Capsules; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D011108:Polymers; D012235:Rhodamines; D020723:Glucuronic Acid