Fabrication and characterization of microspheres encapsulating astrocytes for neural regeneration

ACS Biomater Sci Eng, 2017 · DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00229 · Published: July 10, 2017

Simple Explanation

This study focuses on creating a method to encapsulate astrocytes, a type of brain cell, within collagen microspheres. These microspheres are designed to support the survival and function of the astrocytes, and to promote nerve regeneration. The microspheres were crosslinked with a special polymer to make them more resistant to breakdown. The astrocytes were also modified to produce a growth factor called NGF, which helps nerve cells to grow. The researchers found that these microspheres, when added to cultured nerve cells, significantly enhanced nerve growth, suggesting they could be a useful tool for treating nerve injuries.

Study Duration

10 days

Participants

Sprague Dawley rats (newborn, postnatal, day 1 to day 3)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Collagen microspheres can be efficiently generated by injecting a mixture of collagen and astrocytes into a cell culture medium, with size controllable via the flow rate.
2
Crosslinking the collagen microspheres with 4S-StarPEG reduces their degradation rate when exposed to collagenase.
3
Astrocytes encapsulated in the crosslinked collagen microspheres remain viable and secrete NGF, which enhances neurite growth in cultured DRGs.

Research Summary

The study successfully fabricated collagen microspheres encapsulating astrocytes, with control over microsphere size via flow rate and reduced degradation via crosslinking with 4S-StarPEG. The encapsulated astrocytes exhibited high viability and released NGF, demonstrating the potential of the microspheres as a delivery system for therapeutic molecules. The NGF released from the microspheres significantly enhanced neurite growth in cultured DRGs, suggesting a potential application in promoting neural regeneration.

Practical Implications

Nerve regeneration

The microspheres can potentially be used as a carrier of astrocytes to promote nerve regeneration in injured neural tissue.

Drug delivery

The microspheres can be used for controlled release of therapeutic molecules.

Cell transplantation

The microspheres provide a cell-delivery vehicle that may help overcome problems, such as immune system attacks and inflammatory responses, encountered by grafted cells.

Study Limitations

1
The level of NGF in the medium of cultured transfected astrocytes on a cell culture plate was higher than that released from transfected astrocytes in microspheres.
2
Further experiments are needed to confirm the finding that 4S-StarPEG in the microspheres might stimulate NGF generation and explore the mechanism by which it occurs.
3
The study only demonstrated in vitro that astrocytes encapsulated in crosslinked collagen microspheres can be potentially delivered to wounded nerve tissue to reestablish physiological function. In vivo studies are needed.

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