Encapsulation of Protein Microfiber Networks Supporting Pancreatic Islets
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Authors
Steele, Joseph Allan McKinnon
Date
2011-08-24
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Gelatin , Bioencapsulation , Genipin , Microparticle , Pancreatic Islets , Microfiber , Alginate
Alternative Title
Abstract
A method was developed to produce and incorporate a network of discrete, genipin-crosslinked
gelatin microfibers around a pancreatic islet within a barium alginate microcapsule. This
technique allows for the encapsulation of a porous fibrous matrix without the geometrical
restrictions required for cellular aggregate seeding. Microfibers were produced from a novel
vortex-drawn extrusion system with an alginate support matrix. Optimization culminated in a
hydrated fiber diameter of 22.3 ± 0.4 μm, a 98% reduction in cross sectional area, while making
the process more reliable and less labour intensive. The optimized microfibers were encapsulated
at 40 vol% within 294 ± 4 μm 1.6% barium alginate microparticles by an electrostatic-mediated
dropwise extrusion system. Pancreatic islets extracted from Sprague Dawley rats were
encapsulated within the microparticles, and analyzed over a 21-day preliminary in vitro study.
Acridine orange and propidium iodide fluorescent viability staining and light microscopy
indicated a significant increase in viability for the fiber-laden particles relative to fiber-free
control particles at days 7, 14, and 21. The fiber-laden system also reduced the incidence of
disrupted islet cohesion from 31% to 8% at day 21, and showed evidence of islet-fiber adhesion.
Preliminary investigations into insulin secretion and metabolic activity showed no significant
difference between test and control groups. Further investigation into benefits of islet
encapsulation within an extracellular matrix fiber network will be the subject of future studies
with this body of work serving as a foundation.
The system developed in this investigation could be developed into a modular scaffold system for
tissue engineering beyond the field of islet research.
Description
Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-08-18 15:05:50.917
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