Culture and differentiation of chondrocytes entrapped in alginate gels

Summary We studied the response to culture conditions and the differentiative ability in suspension culture in alginate gels of resting chondrocytes from the preosseous cartilage of adult pig scapula. It was found that the maximum rate of chondrocyte duplication is reached at the fourth day in culture whereas the rate of proteoglycan synthesis and alkaline phosphatase expression do not gain a maximum value before the seventh day. During the culture time, the chondrocytes undergo differentiation as it is demonstrated by the alkaline phosphatase specific activity increase and by morphological criteria (hypertrophy, increase of the number of mitochondria per cell, increased endoplasmic reticulum, matrix vesicle production). The alginate gels can be easily dissolved to obtain cell populations in which the variation of cytosolic calcium concentration following a proliferative stimulus can be conveniently observed using the conventional procedure of Fura 2.     

海藻酸钠-氯化钡微囊对大鼠胰岛体外胰岛素分泌功能的影响

目的　观察海藻酸钠 -氯化钡微囊对大鼠胰岛体外胰岛素分泌功能有无影响。方法　以海藻酸钠和氯化钡为材料 ,采用气体吹喷制囊法将新鲜分离纯化的大鼠胰岛制成微囊化胰岛 ,取空微囊、微囊化大鼠胰岛与未微囊化大鼠胰岛各 5 0 0只 ,分为 10份 ,置于培养板中培养 ,用放免法测定并比较第 2、4、6 d培养液中基础胰岛素浓度。结果　空微囊组第 2、4、6 d的基础胰岛素平均浓度均为 0 nm ol/ 1/ 5 0 ,微囊化大鼠胰岛组第 2、4、6 d的基础胰岛素平均浓度为 5 .179、5 .80 6、5 .5 5 8nm ol/ 1/5 0只 ,未微囊化大鼠胰岛组第 2、4、6 d的基础胰岛素平均浓度为 5 .4 4 1、6 .0 80、5 .4 6 8nmol/ 1/ 5 0只 ,后两者差异无显著性意义 (P>0 .0 5 )。结论　海藻酸钠 -氯化钡微囊对大鼠胰岛体外胰岛素分泌功能无影响     

Modulation of systemic cytokine levels by implantation of alginate encapsulated cells

The availability of cell lines that are transfected with IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γ cytokine genes permits the prolonged in vivo delivery of functional cytokines in relatively large doses for the modulation of specific immune responses. Often the transfected cells are xenogeneic or allogeneic to the experimental animal and have to be encapsulated in such a way that no cellular response by the host will be induced. Alginate has proven to be a simple matrix for encapsulating cells under mild conditions suitable for in vivo implantation. Encapsulated cells express the transfected IL-4 gene for at least 14 days after in vivo implantation and were shown to be functional during that period by modulating ongoing IgE responses. The application of adherent growing transfected cells permits dose-response titrations and provides an easy method for local and systemic cytokine delivery. Alternatively, hybridoma cells can be encapsulated and the secreted antibody monitored in the serum. It was found that no host immune response was triggered by alginate encapsulated cells. The efficiency of treatment by encapsulated cells was shown to be equivalent to that of injecting purified antibodies.     

Effect of additives on the viability of bifidobacteria loaded in alginate poly-l-lysine microparticles during the freeze-drying process

Bifidobacteria-loaded alginate poly-l-lysine microparticles (bap microparticles) were prepared using an air atomization method and then freeze-dried. The viability of the bap microparticles was investigated as a function of the amount of the bifidobacteria cultures, and the addition of a yeast extract, cryoprotectants, antioxidants and neutralizer. The size of the bap microparticles with and without the bifidobacteria was 84.8 +/- 28.5 microm (mean +/- standard deviation) and 113.1 +/- 38.5 microm, respectively. The surface morphology was slightly ellipsoid and wrinkled regardless of the incorporating bifidobacteria. The viability gradually decreased with increasing freeze-drying time. Free-flowing powdered bap microparticles were obtained at least 12 h after freeze-drying the wetted slurry of bap microparticles. However, the particles tended to aggregate when either lactose or ascorbic acid was added. The addition of a yeast extract, cryoprotectants (glycerol and lactose), antioxidants (NaHSO3 and ascorbic acid) and neutralizer (Mg3(PO4)2) resulted in a significantly higher viability of the bifidobacteria in the bap microparticles after freeze-drying (0.34-1.84 log) compared with the culture alone.     

Cartilage regeneration in SCID mice using a highly organized three-dimensional alginate scaffold

Tissue engineering for cartilage regeneration provides an alternative to surgery for degenerative osteoarthritis. Recently, a highly organized three-dimensional (3D) alginate scaffold was prepared using a microfluidic device; this scaffold is effective for chondrocyte culture in vitro. The performance of this scaffold was further demonstrated; an alginate scaffold seeded with porcine chondrocytes was implanted in the dorsal subcutaneous site of SCID mice. The recipients were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after transplantation. The grafted implants retrieved from the subcutaneous site were analyzed with histologic examinations. Real-time PCR was used to identify the gene expression patterns of the chondrocytes. The hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that the chondrocytes survived normally in SCID mice; cartilage-like structures were formed after 4 weeks implantation. Immunohistochemical staining revealed cells secreted type II collagen, produced glycosaminoglycans (proved by alcian blue stain), and maintained the expression of S-100. On the other hand, the cells were negative for type I and type X collagen staining. PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of aggrecan and type II collagen were up-regulated at weeks two and four, while type I and type X collagen were down-regulated during the study period. In summary, this highly organized 3D alginate scaffold provided a suitable environment and maintained functional phenotypes for chondrocytes in this animal study.     

The use of a dual PEDOT and RGD-functionalized alginate hydrogel coating to provide sustained drug delivery and improved cochlear implant function

Cochlear implants provide hearing by electrically stimulating the auditory nerve. Implant function can be hindered by device design variables, including electrode size and electrode-to-nerve distance, and cochlear environment variables, including the degeneration of the auditory nerve following hair cell loss. We have developed a dual-component cochlear implant coating to improve both the electrical function of the implant and the biological stability of the inner ear, thereby facilitating the long-term perception of sound through a cochlear implant. This coating is a combination of an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-functionalized alginate hydrogel and the conducting polymer poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Both in vitro and in vivo assays on the effects of these electrode coatings demonstrated improvements in device performance. We found that the coating reduced electrode impedance, improved charge delivery, and locally released significant levels of a trophic factor into cochlear fluids. This coating is non-cytotoxic, clinically relevant, and has the potential to significantly improve the cochlear implant user’s experience.     

Transplantation of microencapsulated umbilical-cord-blood-derived hepatic-like cells for treatment of hepatic failure

AIM: To investigate intraperitoneal transplantation of microencapsulated hepatic-like cells from human umbilical cord blood for treatment of hepatic failure in rats. METHODS: CD34+ cells in umbilical cord blood cells were isolated by magnetic cell sorting. In the in vitro experiment, sorted CD34+ cells were amplified and induced into hepatic-like cells by culturing with a combination of fibroblast growth factor 4 and hepatocyte growth factor. Cultures without growth factor addition served as controls. mRNA ...     

Development and Evaluation of pH-Dependent Micro Beads for Colon Targeting

The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate multiparticulates of alginate and chitosan hydrogel beads exploiting pH sensitive property for colon-targeted delivery of theophylline. Alginate and chitosan beads were prepared by ionotropic gelation method followed by enteric coating with Eudragit S100. All formulations were evaluated for particle size, encapsulation efficiency, swellability and in vitro drug release.In vitro dissolution studies performed following pH progression method demonstrated that the drug release from coated beads depends on coat weights applied and pH of dissolution media. Mechanism of drug release was found to be swelling and erosion-dependent. The studies showed that formulated alginate and chitosan beads can be used effectively for the delivery of drug to colon and a coat weight of 20% weight gain was sufficient to impart an excellent gastro resistant property to the beads for effective release of drug at higher pH values.     

海藻酸钠微囊栓塞治疗肾挫裂伤的实验研究

目的研究模拟野战条件下,在新型野战伤病综合手术救治方舱内应用海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微囊栓塞治疗肾挫裂伤的可行性。方法构建肾挫裂伤动物模型,在新型野战伤病综合手术救治方舱内,应用海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微囊对损伤的肾动脉血管进行栓塞模拟操作。观察栓塞后30min、1周的肾动脉造影检查结果,栓塞后1周的组织学表现,评价栓塞效果。结果 4只动物均存活,栓塞后血压波动于正常范围;血管造影检查与组织学表现显示,栓塞后30min栓塞侧肾动脉分支主干出现明显血栓影;栓塞后1周栓塞侧肾动脉完全闭塞;栓塞后1周健侧肾脏未发生任何变化,栓塞侧肾脏体积与重量减小,部分肾脏表面及剖面颜色变浅,剖面可见皮质变薄,皮质、髓质界限不清,髓放线模糊。结论新型野战伤病综合手术救治方舱,能满足野战条件下急重症伤员提供综合快速的诊治;海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微囊治疗肾挫裂伤疗效确切、直观、准确、便捷。     

Methylated N-(4-N,N-dimethylaminocinnamyl) chitosan-coated electrospray OVA-loaded microparticles for oral vaccination

The purpose of this study was to prepare microparticles entrapping ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen to induce immune responses in mice following oral vaccination. In this study, calcium-alginate and calcium-yam-alginate microparticles were prepared by crosslinking alginate with calcium chloride solution using an electrospraying technique. 0.1% (w/v) of methylated N-(4-N,N-dimethylaminocinnamyl) chitosan (TM₆₅CM₅₀CS) was used to coat microparticles entrapping an initial OVA of 20% w/w to polymer. The results indicated that the coated microparticles were spherical and had a smooth surface, with an average size of 1–3 μm, and were positively charged. In addition, the particles demonstrated a greater swelling and mucoadhesive properties than did uncoated microparticles. The in vitro release from the microparticles indicated that the coated microparticles resulted in more sustained release than uncoated microparticles. The cytotoxicity results showed that all of the formulations were safe. The in vivo oral administration demonstrated that at the same amount of 250 μg OVA, coated microparticles exhibited the highest in vivo adjuvant activity in both IgG and IgA immunogenicity.