Timing underpins the benefits associated with injectable collagen biomaterial therapy for the treatment of myocardial infarction

Injectable hydrogel biomaterials are promising therapies to promote repair and regeneration post-myocardial infarction (MI). However, the timing of delivery and the mechanisms through which biomaterial treatments confer their benefits are translational issues that remain to be addressed. We assessed the efficacy of an injectable collagen matrix at 3 different delivery time points post-MI. Infarcted mice received the matrix or control (saline) treatment at 3 h, 1 week or 2 weeks after MI. The earlier treatment delivery better prevented negative ventricular remodeling and long-term deterioration of cardiac function (up to 3 months), whereas waiting longer to administer the matrix (1 and 2 weeks post-MI) reduced the therapeutic effects. Collagen matrix delivery did not stimulate an inflammatory response acutely and favorably modulated inflammation in the myocardium long-term. We found that the matrix interacts with the host tissue to alter the myocardial cytokine profile, promote angiogenesis, and reduce fibrosis and cell death. This work highlights that the timing of delivery can significantly affect the ability of an injectable hydrogel to protect the post-MI environment, which will be an important consideration in the clinical translation of cardiac biomaterial therapy.     

Controlled release of rat adipose-derived stem cells from alginate microbeads

Cell-based therapies have potential for tissue regeneration but poor delivery methods lead to low viability or dispersal of cells from target sites, limiting clinical utility. Here, we developed a degradable and injectable hydrogel to deliver stem cells for bone regeneration. Alginate microbeads <200 μm are injectable, persist at implantation sites and contain viable cells, but do not readily degrade in-vivo. We hypothesized that controlled release of rat adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) from alginate microbeads can be achieved by incorporating alginate-lyase in the hydrogel. Microbeads were formed using high electrostatic potential. Controlled degradation was achieved through direct combination of alginate-lyase and alginate at 4 °C. Results showed that microbead degradation and cell release depended on the alginate-lyase to alginate ratio. Viability of released cells ranged from 87% on day 2 to 71% on day 12. Monolayer cultures of released ASCs grown in osteogenic medium produced higher levels of osteocalcin and similar levels of other soluble factors as ASCs that were neither previously encapsulated nor exposed to alginate-lyase. Bmp2, Fgf2, and Vegfa mRNA in released cells were also increased. Thus, this delivery system allows for controlled release of viable cells and can modulate their downstream osteogenic factor production.     

The influence of physiological matrix conditions on permanent culture of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocytes (CMs) from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells mark an important achievement in the development of in vitro pharmacological, toxicological and developmental assays and in the establishment of protocols for cardiac cell replacement therapy. Using CMs generated from murine embryonic stem cells and iPS cells we found increased cell–matrix interaction and more matured embryoid body (EB) structures in iPS cell-derived EBs. However, neither suspension-culture in form of purified cardiac clusters nor adherence-culture on traditional cell culture plastic allowed for extended culture of CMs. CMs grown for five weeks on polystyrene exhibit signs of massive mechanical stress as indicated by α-smooth muscle actin expression and loss of sarcomere integrity. Hydrogels from polyacrylamide allow adapting of the matrix stiffness to that of cardiac tissue. We were able to eliminate the bottleneck of low cell adhesion using 2,5-Dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl-6-acrylamidohexanoate as a crosslinker to immobilize matrix proteins on the gels surface. Finally we present an easy method to generate polyacrylamide gels with a physiological Young's modulus of 55 kPa and defined surface ligand, facilitating the culture of murine and human iPS-CMs, removing excess mechanical stresses and reducing the risk of tissue culture artifacts exerted by stiff substrates.     

胶原模拟多肽-PEG杂化水凝胶及用于兔骨髓间充质干细胞的三维培养

目的 构建一种模拟细胞外基质的胶原模拟多肽-聚乙二醇(PEG)杂化水凝胶并应用于兔骨髓间充质干细胞(rBMSCs)的三维(3D)培养.方法 利用胶原模拟多肽末端的半胱氨酸与马来酰亚胺修饰的多臂PEG偶联形成杂化水凝胶,圆二色谱表征胶原模拟多肽的三螺旋结构及其热稳定性,流变学检测和扫描电镜观察研究杂化水凝胶的成胶过程、机械强度及水凝胶内部结构.将rBMSCs包埋于杂化水凝胶中进行3D培养,检测水凝胶的细胞相容性及其对rBMSCs分化的影响.结果 胶原模拟多肽能自发形成天然胶原的三螺旋结构,其热变性温度为49.4℃.胶原模拟多肽-PEG杂化水凝胶成胶迅速,内部呈现多孔的网络状纤维结构;杂化水凝胶3D培养rBMSCs 24 h后,绝大部分细胞保持存活状态,基因表达分析结果显示该水凝胶体系构建的3D培养环境能影响rBMSCs的分化.结论 胶原模拟多肽-PEG杂化水凝胶制备条件温和,具有良好的机械强度和细胞相容性,有利于rBMSCs的软骨分化.     

Stem cell-based delivery of Hypoxamir-210 to the infarcted heart: implications on stem cell survival and preservation of infarcted heart function

This study seeks to test our hypothesis that transgenic induction of miR-210 in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) simulates the pro-survival effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and that engraftment of (PC)MSC helps in the functional recovery of ischemic heart by miR-210 transfer to host cardiomyocytes through gap junctions. miR-210 expression in MSC was achieved by IPC or nanoparticle-based transfection of miR-210 plasmid ((miR)MSC) and functional recovery of the infarcted heart of rat transplanted with (PC)MSC or (miR)MSC was evaluated. Both (PC)MSC and (miR)MSC showed higher survival under lethal anoxia as compared to (non-PC)MSC and scramble-transfected MSC ((Sc)MSC) controls with concomitantly lower CASP8AP2 expression. Similarly, both (PC)MSC and (miR)MSC survived better and accelerated functional recovery of ischemic heart post-transplantation. To validate our hypothesis that MSC deliver miR-210 to host cardiomyocytes, in vitro co-culture between cardiomyocytes and (PC)MSC or (miR)MSC (using (non-PC)MSC or (Sc)MSC as controls) showed co-localization of miR-210 with gap-junctional connexin-43. miR-210 transfer to cardiomyocytes was blocked by heptanol pretreatment. Moreover, higher survival of cardiomyocytes co-cultured with (PC)MSC was observed with concomitant expression of CASP8AP2 as compared to cardiomyocytes co-cultured with (non-PC)MSC thus suggesting that miR-210 was translocated from MSC to protect host cardiomyocytes. Induction of miR-210 in MSC promoted their survival post-engraftment in the infarcted heart. Moreover, direct transfer of pro-survival miR-210 from (miR)MSC to host cardiomyocytes led to functional recovery of the ischemic heart.     

Intravenous delivery of autologous mesenchymal stem cells limits infarct size and improves left ventricular function in the infarcted porcine heart

Systemic delivery of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a noninvasive approach for myocardial repair. We aimed to test this strategy in a pig model of myocardial infarction. Pigs (n = 8) received autologous MSCs (1 x 10(6)/kg body weight) labeled with fluorescent dye 48 h post proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion. Hemodyamics, infarct size, and myocardial function were assessed at baseline and after 1 month. Morphologic analysis revealed that labeled MSCs migrated in the peri-infarct region, resulting in smaller infarct size (32 +/- 7 vs. 19 +/- 7%, p = 0.01), higher fractional area shortening (23 +/- 3 vs. 34.0 +/- 7%, p = 0.001), lower left ventricular end diastolic pressure (18.7 +/- 5 vs. 10.2 +/- 4 mmHg, p = 0.02) and higher +dp/dt (4,570 +/- 540 vs. 6,742 +/- 700 mmHg/s, p = 0.03) during inotropic stimulation. Systemic intravenous delivery of MSCs to pigs limits myocardial infarct size and is an attractive approach for tissue repair.     

Dose-dependent effects of intravenous allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in the infarcted porcine heart

Intravenous delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) preserves myocardial function after infarction. This dose-escalating study was performed to examine pathologic remodeling and scar formation in a pig model of permanent coronary occlusion without restoration of reperfusion. MSCs labeled with fluorescent dye 48 h or saline (negative control, n = 8) were given intravenously 48 h post proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion. Animals received either autologous or allogeneic MSCs in doses from 1 x 10(3) up to 1 x 10(6) per kg bodyweight from an unrelated donor pig. Infarct size and myocardial function were assessed after 1 month. Morphologic analysis revealed that labeled autologous MSCs migrated in the peri-infarct region resulting in smaller infarct size (19 +/- 7% vs. 32 +/- 7%, p < 0.008) and higher fractional area shortening (33 +/- 7% vs. 21 +/- 3%, p < 0.001). Similarly, allogeneic MSCs had dose-dependent beneficial effects on cardiac function, statistically significant at 1 x 10(5) and 1 x 10(6) cells per kg bodyweight. Autologous as well as allogeneic MSCs specifically "home" to the heart after systemic delivery, leading to limited myocardial infarct size and improved functional outcome, even without coronary reperfusion. Therefore, intravenously administration of MSCs is an attractive minimal-invasive approach for cardiac tissue repair.     

人骨髓间质干细胞和嗅鞘细胞移植对大鼠急性脊髓损伤功能修复的比较研究

目的对比人骨髓基质细胞(BMSCs)与人胚嗅鞘细胞(OECs)移植对大鼠脊髓损伤功能修复的影响。方法将45只SD大鼠分成脊髓损伤后BMSCs移植组(BMSCs组)、OECs移植组(OECs组)和PBS对照组(PBS组),通过BBB评分、运动诱发电位(MEP)评估脊髓传导功能的改善状况,免疫组织化学方法检测移植细胞存活和分化情况,病理形态学方法观察组织结构修复情况。结果BMSCs组BBB评分高于OECs组(P<0.05);两细胞治疗组MEP潜伏期明显缩短(P<0.05);BMSCs组嗜银染色可见脊髓损伤近端有较多再生纤维向远端延伸,形成神经纤维束,而OECs组再生纤维较少;两种移植细胞均可在损伤处部分存活,BMSCs组可见BMSCs来源的细胞Nestin、NF、GFAP的阳性表达。结论BMSCs移植比OECs移植能更有效促进大鼠急性脊髓损伤修复。     

Direct effect of alginate purification on the survival of islets immobilized in alginate-based microcapsules

Alginate purification has been shown to decrease the host immune response to implanted alginate-based microcapsules, but the direct effect of contaminants on islet cell survival remains unknown. Wistar rat islets were immobilized in calcium alginate beads made with crude vs. purified alginate and then incubated in CMRL culture medium. Islet survival was evaluated at 1, 4, 7, 14 and 27 days post-encapsulation. Islet viability was investigated using a dual staining assay (propidium iodide and orange acridine). The islet cell necrosis and the proportion of apoptotic cells were quantified under optical microscopy and with a TUNEL assay, respectively. Islets immobilized in purified alginate were more viable, and had fewer necrotic centers, a smaller area of central necrosis and a lower number of apoptotic cells. At day 14 and 27 post-encapsulation, respectively, 48% and 23% of islets were viable with purified alginate vs. 18% and 8% with crude alginate (p < 0.05). At day 14, the surface area of central necrosis and the number of necrotic islets were more important with the impure alginate (65% vs. 45% and 73% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.05). We conclude that alginate purification improves the survival of islets that are immobilized in alginate-based microcapsules. These findings indicate that caution should be taken in the interpretation of in vivo experiments, as the results could be explained by either a direct effect on islet survival or a modification of the host reaction, or both. Moreover, it suggests that the effect on islet viability should be assessed during the development of biomaterials for cell encapsulation.     

Fibroblast sheets co-cultured with endothelial progenitor cells improve cardiac function of infarcted hearts

We have already confirmed that cell sheet transplantation can improve damaged heart function via continuous cytokine secretion. In this study, we hypothesized that cytokine-secreting cell sheets co-cultured with an endothelial cell source may be more effective for repairing ischemic myocardium. Confluent rat fibroblasts cultured on temperature-responsive culture dishes were harvested as contiguous cell sheets by temperature reduction. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were seeded on fibroblast sheets to create co-cultured cell sheets, and sandwich-like constructs were engineered by stacking of the co-cultured cell sheets. These constructs were transplanted into rat myocardial infarction models. Cardiac function and histology were assessed in four groups: the sham operation (C) group, the isolated EPC injection (E) group, the transplantation of triple-layer fibroblast sheets (F) group, and the transplantation of triple-layer sandwich-like constructs (E + F) group. Echocardiography showed significant improvement of the fractional shortening in the E + F group in comparison with the C group (0.25 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.16 +/- 0.02). On histological examination, significantly less connective tissue formation was observed in the E, F, and E + F groups when compared to the C group (C, E, F, and E + F groups: 53 +/- 2%, 41 +/- 4%, 40 +/- 4%, and 32 +/- 7%, respectively). Additionally, increased blood vessel formation was detected in the E, F, and E + F groups compared with the C group (C, E, F, and E + F groups: 1.9% +/- 0.6%, 6.7% +/- 0.6%, 7.8% +/- 0.9%, and 10.2% +/- 2.4%, respectively). Furthermore, GFP-staining demonstrated that the newly formed blood vessels were composed of the co-cultured EPCs. Transplantation of cell sheets co-cultured with an endothelial cell source may be a new therapeutic strategy for myocardial tissue regeneration.     

The mechanisms of fibroblast-mediated compaction of collagen gels and the mechanical niche around individual fibroblasts

Fibroblast-mediated compaction of collagen gels attracts extensive attention in studies of wound healing, cellular fate processes, and regenerative medicine. However, the underlying mechanism and the cellular mechanical niche still remain obscure. This study examines the mechanical behaviour of collagen fibrils during the process of compaction from an alternative perspective on the primary mechanical interaction, providing a new viewpoint on the behaviour of populated fibroblasts. We classify the collagen fibrils into three types – bent, stretched, and adherent – and deduce the respective equations governing the mechanical behaviour of each type; in particular, from a putative principle based on the stationary state of the instantaneous Hamiltonian of the mechanotransduction system, we originally quantify the stretching force exerted on each stretched fibrils. Via careful verification of a structural elementary model based on this classification, we demonstrate a clear physical picture of the compaction process, quantitatively elucidate the panorama of the micro mechanical niche and reveal an intrinsic biphasic relationship between cellular traction force and matrix elasticity. Our results also infer the underlying mechanism of tensional homoeostasis and stress shielding of fibroblasts. With this study, and sequel investigations on the putative principle proposed herein, we anticipate a refocus of the research on cellular mechanobiology, in vitro and in vivo.     

大叶茜草素抑制大鼠CFSC-2G细胞活化和胶原合成

目的:观察大叶茜草素(mollugin)对大鼠肝星状细胞系CFSC-2G活化和胶原合成的影响并探讨其分子机制。方法:小剂量(10μmol/L)过氧化氢(H_2O_2)诱导CFSC-2G细胞30 min后,再加入不同浓度(0、20、40、60和120μmol/L)的mollugin处理。MTT法检测细胞活力,real-time PCR和Western blot法分别检测核因子E2相关因子2(Nrf2)、血红素加氧酶-1(HO-1)、核因子κB(NF-κB)p65、Bcl-2、Bcl-x L、Bax以及肝星状细胞活化标志物α-平滑肌肌动蛋白和Ⅰ型胶原蛋白的mRNA和蛋白表达,并用Western blot法检测p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)的磷酸化水平。结果:低剂量H_2O_2可以诱导CFSC-2G细胞活化,mollugin明显促进p38 MAPK磷酸化,上调Nrf2和HO-1的mRNA和蛋白表达,下调NF-κB p65、Bcl-2和Bcl-x L的mRNA和蛋白表达,抑制H_2O_2诱导活化的CFSC-2G细胞活力和胶原合成(P0.05)。结论:Mollugin可能通过上调Nrf2和HO-1并下调NF-κB p65和Bcl-2表达,抑制CFSC-2G细胞活化和胶原合成。     

Injectable alginate hydrogels for cell delivery in tissue engineering

Alginate hydrogels are extremely versatile and adaptable biomaterials, with great potential for use in biomedical applications. Their extracellular matrix-like features have been key factors for their choice as vehicles for cell delivery strategies aimed at tissue regeneration. A variety of strategies to decorate them with biofunctional moieties and to modulate their biophysical properties have been developed recently, which further allow their tailoring to the desired application. Additionally, their potential use as injectable materials offers several advantages over preformed scaffold-based approaches, namely: easy incorporation of therapeutic agents, such as cells, under mild conditions; minimally invasive local delivery; and high contourability, which is essential for filling in irregular defects. Alginate hydrogels have already been explored as cell delivery systems to enhance regeneration in different tissues and organs. Here, the in vitro and in vivo potential of injectable alginate hydrogels to deliver cells in a targeted fashion is reviewed. In each example, the selected crosslinking approach, the cell type, the target tissue and the main findings of the study are highlighted.     

The beneficial effects of deferred delivery on the efficiency of hydrogel therapy post myocardial infarction

Biomaterials are increasingly being investigated as a means of reducing stress within the ventricular wall of infarcted hearts and thus attenuating pathological remodelling and loss of function. In this context, we have examined the influence of timing of delivery on the efficacy of a polyethylene glycol hydrogel polymerised with an enzymatically degradable peptide sequence. Delivery of the hydrogel immediately after infarct induction resulted in no observable improvements, but a delay of one week in delivery resulted in significant increases in scar thickness and fractional shortening, as well as reduction in end-systolic diameter against saline controls and immediately injected hydrogel at both 2 and 4 weeks post-infarction (p < 0.05). Hydrogels injected at one week were degraded significantly slower than those injected immediately and this may have played a role in the differing outcomes. The hydrogel assumed markedly different morphologies at the two time points having either a fibrillar or bulky appearance after injection immediately or one week post-infarction respectively. We argue that the different morphologies result from infarction induced changes in the cardiac structure and influence the degradability of the injectates. The results indicate that timing of delivery is important and that very early time points may not be beneficial.     

骨髓间充质干细胞调节心脏移植大鼠的免疫功能

BACKGROUND:Heart transplantation is an effective method for treatment of end-stage heart failure, but immune rejection that seriously impact therapeutic effacicy is easy to occur after transplantation. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the immune function of rats undergoiong heart transplantation. METHODS:Twenty Lewis rats were enrolled as donors, and 20 Wistar rats as recipients. Heart transplantation models were established in the Wistar rats. These 20 model rats were randomized into cell transplantation and control group with 10 rats in each group. Forty-eight hours after heart transplantation, rats in the cell transplantation group were given bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell suspension (1 mL, 2×10⁸ cells/L) via the tail vein, while rats in the control group were given normal saline in the same dose. Then, the expression levels of serum interleukin-2, interleukin-10 and percentage of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺, CD4⁺CD25^high, CD4⁺CD25^high Foxp3⁺ T cells in the venous blood were detected in the two groups at 7 days after cell transplantation. Additionally, rat myocardial tissues were taken and observed pathologically. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The survival time of the cell transplantation group was significantly longer than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The expression level of interleukin-2 showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05), but the level of interleukin-10 in the cell transplantation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the percentage of CD4⁺/CD8⁺, CD4⁺CD25^high, CD4⁺CD25^high Foxp3⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells was significantly higher, and the percentage of CD8⁺ T cells was significantly lower in the cell transplantation group (P < 0.05). Histopathological findings showed that there were a small amount of infiltrated lymphocytes in the cell transplantation group with the presence of slight bleeding and edema, and these inflammatory reactions were milder than those in the control group. These findings indicate that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can effectively reduce the rejection in rats undergoing heart transplantation.     

梗死心肌组织裂解液对鼠骨髓间充质干细胞诱导分化作用的体外研究

 目的 探讨梗死心肌组织裂解液对骨髓间充质干细胞（MSC）向心肌细胞分化的诱导作用。 方法 取 SD 大鼠梗死区心肌组织及其周围区域正常心肌组织分别制备梗死心肌组织裂解液和正常心肌组织裂解液；用 Balb/c 小鼠骨髓细胞进行 MSC 培养，取生长较好的第 2 代 MSC 制备 MSC 贴片，分别用 DMEM 培养基（空白对照组）、加入正常心肌组织裂解液的 DMEM 培养基（正常心肌组织裂解液组）和加入梗死心肌组织裂解液的 DMEM 培养基（梗死心肌组织裂解液组）培养。取各组培养 14 d 的 MSC，透射电镜下观察细胞超微结构；并进行免疫细胞化学染色，观察 α-肌动蛋白（actin）、心肌特异性转录因子 4（GATA-4）、心肌特异性肌球蛋白重链（MHC）、心肌特异性肌钙蛋白 T（cTnT）、心肌特异性肌钙蛋白 I（cTnI）、心肌增强因子 2（MEF-2）、连接蛋白（Cx）43 和 Cx45 的表达情况。 结果 超微结构观察显示空白对照组细胞器结构正常；正常心肌组织裂解液组细胞内未见明显的肌丝样结构；而梗死心肌组织裂解液组部分细胞内可见细小的肌丝样结构。免疫细胞化学染色分析显示，空白对照组 MSC 不表达心肌细胞特异性蛋白；正常心肌组织裂解液组 MSC 仅表达 α-actin；而梗死心肌组织裂解液组 MSC 表达 α-actin、GATA-4、MHC、cTnT、cTnI 和 MEF-2 等心肌特异性标志蛋白，但不表达 Cx43 和 Cx45。 结论 梗死心肌组织裂解液可以诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌样细胞分化。     

Acute anoxia stimulates proliferation in adult neural stem cells from the rat brain

Hypoxic-ischemic damage is a major challenge for neuronal tissue. In the present study, we investigated the effects of anoxia and glucose deprivation on adult neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro. We assessed glucose deprivation, anoxia and the combination of the latter separately. After 24 h of anoxia, cell numbers increased up to 60% compared to normoxic controls. Whereas nearly all normoxic cells incorporated the mitotic marker BrdU (99%), only 85% of the anoxic cells were BrdU-positive. Counting of interphase chromosomes showed 8-fold higher cell division activity after anoxia. The number of necrotic cells doubled after anoxia (14% compared to 7% after normoxia). Apoptosis was measured by two distinct caspases assays. Whereas the total caspase activity was reduced after anoxia, caspase 3/7 showed no alterations. Glucose deprivation and oxygen glucose deprivation both reduced cell viability by 56 and 53%, respectively. Under these conditions, total caspases activity doubled, but caspase 3/7 activity remained unchanged. Erythropoietin, which was reported as neuroprotective, did not increase cell viability in normoxia, but moderately under oxygen glucose deprivation by up to 6%. Erythropoietin reduced total caspase activity by nearly 30% under all the conditions, whereas caspase 3/7 activity was not affected. Our results show that anoxia increases proliferation and viability of adult NSCs, although a fraction of NSCs does not divide during anoxia. In conclusion, anoxia increased cell viability, cell number and proliferation in NSCs from the rat brain. Anoxia turned out to be a highly stimulating environmental for NSCs and NSCs died only when deprived of glucose. We conclude that the availability of glucose but not of oxygen is a crucial factor for NSC survival, regulating apoptotic pathways via caspases activity other than the caspases 3/7 pathway. Therefore, we conclude that NSCs are dying from glucose deprivation, not from hypoxic-ischemic damage.     

脂肪来源细胞在缺血性心脏病中的应用

 脂肪来源细胞（褐色脂肪来源细胞、脂肪干细胞和去分化脂肪细胞）可分化成心肌样细胞,移植后可改善心梗后心功能,降低心室重塑,有可能成为最有潜力的治疗缺血性心脏病的干细胞来源。     

Multifunctional hydrogel-based scaffold for improving the functionality of encapsulated therapeutic cells and reducing inflammatory response

Since the introduction of cell immunoisolation as an alternative to protect transplanted cells from host immune attack, much effort has been made to develop this technology into a realistic clinical proposal. Several promising approaches have been investigated to resolve the biotechnological and biosafety challenges related to cell microencapsulation. Here, a multifunctional hydrogel-based scaffold consisting of cell-loaded alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules and dexamethasone (DXM)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres embedded in alginate hydrogel is developed and evaluated. Initially, the feasibility of using an alginate hydrogel for enclosing APA microcapsules was studied in a xenogeneic approach. In addition, the performance of the local release of DXM was addressed. The in vitro studies confirmed the correct adaptation of the enclosed cells to the scaffolds in terms of metabolic activity and viability. The posterior implantation of the hydrogel-based scaffolds containing cell-loaded microcapsules revealed that the hematocrit levels were maintained high and constant, and the pericapsular overgrowth was reduced in the DXM-treated rats for at least 2 months. This multifunctional scaffold might have a synergistic effect: (1) providing a physical support for APA microcapsules, facilitating administration, ensuring retention and recuperation and preventing dissemination; and (2) reducing post-transplantation inflammation and foreign body reaction, thus prolonging the lifetime of the implant by the continuous and localized release of DXM.