Application of Millifluidics to Encapsulate and Support Viable Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Polysaccharide Hydrogel

oleh: Fabien Nativel, Denis Renard, Fahd Hached, Pierre-Gabriel Pinta, Cyril D’Arros, Pierre Weiss, Catherine Le Visage, Jérôme Guicheux, Aurélie Billon-Chabaud, Gael Grimandi

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2018-07-01

Deskripsi

Human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) are widely known for their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. This study proposes a method to protect cells during and after their injection by encapsulation in a hydrogel using a droplet millifluidics technique. A biocompatible, self-hardening biomaterial composed of silanized-hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Si-HPMC) hydrogel was used and dispersed in an oil continuous phase. Spherical particles with a mean diameter of 200 μm could be obtained in a reproducible manner. The viability of the encapsulated hASCs in the Si-HPMC particles was 70% after 14 days in vitro, confirming that the Si-HPMC particles supported the diffusion of nutrients, vitamins, and glucose essential for survival of the encapsulated hASCs. The combination of droplet millifluidics and biomaterials is therefore a very promising method for the development of new cellular microenvironments, with the potential for applications in biomedical engineering.