Name: encapsulated cell technology for the delivery of biologics to the mouse eye
Uploaded: 2020-03-30T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Encapsulated Cell Technology for the Delivery of Biologics to the Mouse Eye at JoVE.com

The study was supported in part by grants awarded to B. R. by the National Institutes of Health (R01EY019320), the Department of Veterans Affairs (RX000444 and BX003050), and the South Carolina SmartState Endowment.

All experiments were performed in accordance with the ARVO Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research and were approved by the Medical University of South Carolina Animal Care and Use Committee under protocol ID 00399.
1. Cell Culture
<ol>
	<li>Generate human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) cell line stably expressing the gene of choice according to published protocols14,15.</li>
	<li>Maintain cells...

<ol>
	<li>Allen, T. M., Cullis, P. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drug+delivery+systems:+entering+the+mainstream.">Drug delivery systems: entering the mainstream.</a> Science. 303 (5665), 1818-1822 (2004).</li><li>Tonnesen, H. H., Karlsen, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alginate+in+drug+delivery+systems.">Alginate in drug delivery systems.</a> Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy. 28 (6), 621-630 (2002).</li><li>Vilos, C., Velasquez, L. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Therapeutic+strategies+based+on+polymeric+microparticles.">Therapeutic strategies based on polymeric microparticles.</a> Journal of Biomedical Biotechnology. 672760, (2012).</li><li>Gasperini, L., Mano, J. F., Reis, R. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Natural+polymers+for+the+microencapsulation+of+cells.">Natural polymers for the microencapsulation of cells.</a> Journal of the Royal Society Interface. 11 (100), 20140817 (2014).</li><li>Gasper, D. P. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Novel strategy to produce a drug delivery system for skin regeneration. Uma nova estrat&#233;gia para produzir um dispositivo para entrega de f&#225;rmacos que ser&#225; usado na regenera&#231;&#227;o da pele. , (2012).</li><li>Huang, S., Fu, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Naturally+derived+materials-based+cell+and+drug+delivery+systems+in+skin+regeneration.">Naturally derived materials-based cell and drug delivery systems in skin regeneration.</a> Journal of Controlled Release. 142 (2), 149-159 (2010).</li><li>Nograles, N., Abdullah, S., Shamsudin, M. N., Billa, N., Rosli, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Formation+and+characterization+of+pDNA-loaded+alginate+microspheres+for+oral+administration+in+mice.">Formation and characterization of pDNA-loaded alginate microspheres for oral administration in mice.</a> Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering. 113 (2), 133-140 (2012).</li><li>Moore, K., Amos, J., Davis, J., Gourdie, R., Potts, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+polymeric+microcapsules+containing+a+low+molecular+weight+peptide+for+controlled+release.">Characterization of polymeric microcapsules containing a low molecular weight peptide for controlled release.</a> Microscopy and Microanalysis. 19 (1), 213-226 (2013).</li><li>Xu, Y., Skotak, M., Hanna, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrospray+encapsulation+of+water-soluble+protein+with+polylactide.+I.+Effects+of+formulations+and+process+on+morphology+and+particle+size.">Electrospray encapsulation of water-soluble protein with polylactide. I. Effects of formulations and process on morphology and particle size.</a> Journal of Microencapsulation. 23 (1), 69-78 (2006).</li><li>Gryshkov, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Process+engineering+of+high+voltage+alginate+encapsulation+of+mesenchymal+stem+cells.">Process engineering of high voltage alginate encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells.</a> Materials Science and Engineering: C. 36, 77-83 (2014).</li><li>Thanos, C. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sustained+secretion+of+ciliary+neurotrophic+factor+to+the+vitreous,+using+the+encapsulated+cell+therapy-based+NT-501+intraocular+device.">Sustained secretion of ciliary neurotrophic factor to the vitreous, using the encapsulated cell therapy-based NT-501 intraocular device.</a> Tissue Engineering. (11-12), 1617-1622 (2004).</li><li>Kauper, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two-year+intraocular+delivery+of+ciliary+neurotrophic+factor+by+encapsulated+cell+technology+implants+in+patients+with+chronic+retinal+degenerative+diseases.">Two-year intraocular delivery of ciliary neurotrophic factor by encapsulated cell technology implants in patients with chronic retinal degenerative diseases.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 53 (12), 7484-7491 (2012).</li><li>Kauper, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long+term,+sustained+intraocular+delivery+of+a+VEGF+antagonist+using+encapsulated+cell+technology+implant+for+the+treatment+of+choroidal+neovascular+diseases.">Long term, sustained intraocular delivery of a VEGF antagonist using encapsulated cell technology implant for the treatment of choroidal neovascular diseases.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 53, 455 (2012).</li><li>Annamalai, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Encapsulated+Cell+Technology-Based+Delivery+of+a+Complement+Inhibitor+Reduces+Choroidal+Neovascularization+in+a+Mouse+Model.">Encapsulated Cell Technology-Based Delivery of a Complement Inhibitor Reduces Choroidal Neovascularization in a Mouse Model.</a> Translational Visual Science Technology. 7 (2), 3 (2018).</li><li>Alge, C. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retinal+Pigment+Epithelium+Is+Protected+Against+Apoptosis+by+&#945;B-Crystallin.">Retinal Pigment Epithelium Is Protected Against Apoptosis by &#945;B-Crystallin.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 43 (11), 3575-3582 (2002).</li><li>Chiu, K., Chang, R. C., So, K. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intravitreous+injection+for+establishing+ocular+diseases+model.">Intravitreous injection for establishing ocular diseases model.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (8), 313 (2007).</li><li>Jove Science Education Database. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lab+Animal+Research.+Anesthesia+Induction+and+Maintenance.">Lab Animal Research. Anesthesia Induction and Maintenance.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. , (2019).</li><li>Holz, F. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficacy+and+Safety+of+Lampalizumab+for+Geographic+Atrophy+Due+to+Age-Related+Macular+Degeneration:+Chroma+and+Spectri+Phase+3+Randomized+Clinical+Trials.">Efficacy and Safety of Lampalizumab for Geographic Atrophy Due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Chroma and Spectri Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trials.</a> JAMA Ophthalmology. 136 (6), 666-677 (2018).</li><li>Kassa, E., Ciulla, T. A., Hussain, R. M., Dugel, P. U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Complement+inhibition+as+a+therapeutic+strategy+in+retinal+disorders.">Complement inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in retinal disorders.</a> Expert Opinion in Biological Therapy. 19 (4), 335-342 (2019).</li><li>Cashman, S. M., Ramo, K., Kumar-Singh, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Non+Membrane-Targeted+Human+Soluble+CD59+Attenuates+Choroidal+Neovascularization+in+a+Model+of+Age+Related+Macular+Degeneration.">A Non Membrane-Targeted Human Soluble CD59 Attenuates Choroidal Neovascularization in a Model of Age Related Macular Degeneration.</a> PLoS ONE. 6 (4), e19078 (2011).</li><li>Vincent, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation+of+combination+PDGF+/+VEGF-antagonist+ECT+devices.">Generation of combination PDGF / VEGF-antagonist ECT devices.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 54, 3290 (2013).</li><li>Zhang, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ciliary+neurotrophic+factor+delivered+by+encapsulated+cell+intraocular+implants+for+treatment+of+geographic+atrophy+in+age-related+macular+degeneration.">Ciliary neurotrophic factor delivered by encapsulated cell intraocular implants for treatment of geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 108 (15), 6241-6245 (2011).</li><li>Chew, E. Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ciliary+neurotrophic+factor+for+macular+telangiectasia+type+2:+results+from+a+phase+1+safety+trial.">Ciliary neurotrophic factor for macular telangiectasia type 2: results from a phase 1 safety trial.</a> American Journal of Ophthalmology. 159 (4), 659-666 (2015).</li><li>Birch, D. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Randomized+trial+of+ciliary+neurotrophic+factor+delivered+by+encapsulated+cell+intraocular+implants+for+retinitis+pigmentosa.">Randomized trial of ciliary neurotrophic factor delivered by encapsulated cell intraocular implants for retinitis pigmentosa.</a> American Journal of Ophthalmology. 156 (2), 283-292 (2013).</li></ol>

This cell encapsulation technique is relatively quick and easy to perform; however, certain points must be kept in mind to obtain accurate downstream results. Cells should be maintained in culture in a Petri dish prior to encapsulation and held at proper confluency. Encapsulation should be performed in a proper ventilation hood with regulated air flow, if possible. Too strong of an air current can affect capsule formation, especially in long-term experiments. Sterile utensils and solutions are critical for long-term main...

Cell-based therapies represent revolutionary biological techniques that have been applied widely in medicine. Recently, they have been successfully applied in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, eye diseases, and cancer. Cell therapies cover a wide range of fields from cell replacement to drug delivery, and this protocol focuses on the latter. Biodegradable alginate microcapsules (MC) have shown effectiveness as a delivery system, and they are becoming widely used in the biomedical field. Alginate has been used in microencapsulation due to its simple gelling process, biodegradability, excellent biocompatibility, and stability under in vivo conditions1,2,3,4.
The electrospray method, as a microencapsulation technique, has been successfully utilized to encapsulate peptides and proteins using alginate (base polymer) and poly-l-ornithine (secondary coating polymer). Both polymers are naturally found and used for their biocompatibility5,6,7. However, the main challenge in cell-based therapies is suppression of the host immune system to avoid side effects caused by immunosuppressive drugs. The permeability of alginate microcapsules is considered a suitable property for cell encapsulation, which allows diffusion of nutrients, waste, and therapeutic factors into and out of cells while masking them from the host immune response8,9,10.
In the eye, encapsulated cells have been used in clinical trials for the constant delivery of biologics (i.e., growth factors11,12 and growth factor antagonists13) for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration. Other targets such as complement inhibitors14 are also currently being explored in preclinical settings.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>3 mL Syringe</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>309656</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>30 G 1&#34; Blunt needle</td>
			<td>SAI Infusion technology</td>
			<td>B30-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alginic acid sodium salt, from brown algae</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A0682</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Atropine Sulfate Ophthalmolic solution (1%)</td>
			<td>Akorn</td>
			<td>NDC 17478-215-15</td>
			<td>for pupil dilation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BD 1 mL Syringe 26 G x 3/8 (0.45 mm x 10 mm)</td>
			<td>Becton, Dickinson and Company</td>
			<td>DG518105 500029609 REF 309625</td>
			<td>to generate the guide hole</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calcium chloride, Anhydrous, granular</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C1016</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GenTeal Tears</td>
			<td>Alcon</td>
			<td>NDC 0078-0429-47</td>
			<td>to lubricate the eyes during anesthesia</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goniotaire: Hypromellose (2.5%) Ophthalmolic Demulcent Solution (Sterile)</td>
			<td>Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc.</td>
			<td>NDC 59390-182-13</td>
			<td>to lubricate the eyes during anesthesia</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hamilton Needle/syringe Tip: 27 Gauge, Small Hub RN NDL, custum length (12mm), point style 3, 6/PK</td>
			<td>Hamilton</td>
			<td>7803-01</td>
			<td>for intravitreal delivery of capsules</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hamilton Syringe: 2.5 &#181;L, Model 62 RN SYR, NDL Sold Separately</td>
			<td>Hamilton</td>
			<td>7632-01</td>
			<td>for intravitreal delivery of capsules</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES buffer, 1M</td>
			<td>Fisher Bioreagents</td>
			<td>BP299100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High voltage generator</td>
			<td>ESD EMC Technology</td>
			<td>ES813-D20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity Kit</td>
			<td>Thermofisher Scientific</td>
			<td>L3224</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L-Ornithine hydrochloride, 99%</td>
			<td>Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td>A12111</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmolic Ointment</td>
			<td>SANDOZ</td>
			<td>NDC 61314-631-36</td>
			<td>antibiotic to prevent infection after intravitreal injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phenolephrine Hydrochloride Ophthalmolic Solution (2.5%)</td>
			<td>Akorn</td>
			<td>NDC 17478-201-15</td>
			<td>for pupil dilation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S-5886</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile syringe filters, 0.2 um</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>28143-312</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe pump</td>
			<td>GRASEBY</td>
			<td>MS16A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

encapsulated cell technology for the delivery of biologics to the mouse eye

Many current therapeutics under development for diseases of the posterior pole of the eye are biologics. These drugs need to be administered frequently, typically via intravitreal injections. Encapsulated cells expressing the biologic of choice are becoming a tool for local protein production and release (e.g., via long-term drug delivery). In addition, encapsulation systems utilize permeable materials that allow diffusion of nutrients, waste, and therapeutic factors into and out of cells. This occurs while masking the cells from the host immune response, avoiding the need for suppression of the host immune system. This protocol describes the use of alginate as a polymer in microencapsulation coupled with the electrospray method as a microencapsulation technique. ARPE-19 cells, a spontaneously arising human RPE cell line, has been used in long-term cell therapy experiments due to its lifetime functionality, and it is used here for encapsulation and delivery of the capsules to mouse eyes. The manuscript summarizes the steps for cell microencapsulation, quality control, and ocular delivery.

ARPE-19 cells are a spontaneously immortalized human RPE cell line that has been shown to be amenable to encapsulation and long-term survival upon implantation of capsules into the eye. The tools for alginate encapsulation are shown in Figure 1. In this study, it was demonstrated that upon encapsulation in alginate, the cells in alginate capsules were confirmed by bright-field imaging (Figure 2A). Live-dead assays were performed on the cells inside the capsules,...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Encapsulated Cell Technology for the Delivery of Biologics to the Mouse Eye at JoVE.com

Encapsulated Cell Technology for the Delivery of Biologics to the Mouse Eye

Presented here is a protocol for the use of alginate as a polymer in microencapsulation of immortalized cells for long-term delivery of biologics to rodent eyes.

Many current therapeutics under development for diseases of the posterior pole of the eye are biologics. These drugs need to be administered frequently, ...

This technique is a dependable way to deliver any content such as drugs, proteins, or cells to specific locations in tissues or animals. You can track the delivery and tune the release of the contents to fit the experiment you desire. It can be used to treat numerous diseases from wound healing to ocular and cardiac diseases.The main advantage of this method is the ability to deliver therapeutic cells using alginate microcapsules to the target sites without causing any immune reactions and maintain a sustained delivery of fresh secreted therapeutics for a longer period of time. Begin by culturing retinal epithelial cells according to manuscript directions. Passage the cells when they reach 70 to 80%confluency using standard tissue culture procedures.To encapsulate the cells, mix sodium alginate with deionized water for a final concentration of 2%weight to volume and purify the mixture via filtration with a 0.2 micrometer sterile syringe filter. Trypsinize, centrifuge, and wash the cells with 10 millimolar HEPES buffered saline solution. Use a hemocytometer to count the cells and adjust the final cell concentration to one million per one milliliter of alginate solution.Load 300 microliter aliquots of the alginate and cells mixture into a three milliliter syringe and attach it to a syringe pump. Prepare a gelling bath according to manuscript directions and place it in a sterile 50 milliliter beaker below the syringe tip at a seven millimeter needle to bath spraying distance. Adjust the voltage to eight kilovolts and the flow rate to 30 millimeters per hour to produce microcapsules that are about 150 micrometers in size.Connect the black ground clip to the copper wire that is halfway submerged in the gelling bath and connect the clip of the red anode wire to the needle. It takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare encapsulated cells out of each one milliliter batch of the alginate and cell mixture. When formed, wash the microcapsules with washing solution twice and incubate them with 10%FBS supplemented DMEM media in a humidified incubator at 37 degrees Celsius and 5%CO2.After a 24-hour incubation, prepare a 500 microliter sample of microcapsules for staining by washing them twice in washing solution. Use a LIVE/DEAD assay kit to stain them for viability. To ensure that the microcapsules are appropriately sized, dilute them in serum-free media.Carefully aspirate them with a 2.5 microliter Hamilton syringe. Slowly eject one microliter drops onto a microscope slide and determine the integrity of the microcapsules using an upright Brightfield microscope. In an appropriately anesthetized mouse, apply ocular lubricant to maintain eye moisture and use a 26 gauge 3/8 inch beveled syringe needle to establish an initial eye puncture just below the limbus.Make sure to approach the eye from a nasal direction at a 45 degree angle keeping the beveled tip upward to avoid lens perforation. Next, ensure that the entire needle tip is inserted into the eye for guide hole generation, but be careful not to travel too far and puncture the temporal retina. Once this is complete, slowly retract the needle.Within the micromanipulator, place a 27 gauge blunt tip 2.5 microliter Hamilton syringe that's been filled with capsule solution and line the needle up with the initial guide hole. Hold the animal's head in a stable position and deliberately maneuver the needle towards the eye. To ensure a correct needle position within the vitreous, insert the syringe until the needle tip can be visualized behind the lens.Then inject the capsule solution slowly over the course of 25 to 30 seconds. And once completed, gradually retract the blunt tip syringe in order to minimize injury to the eye. If necessary, adjust the capsule size by adjusting the voltage and flow rate according to manuscript directions.The encapsulation of the cells in alginate was confirmed with Brightfield imaging and a LIVE/DEAD assay demonstrated that 90%of cells were viable post-encapsulation. Long-term viability of the cells was ensured by dissolving the capsules in sodium citrate and replating. Intravitreal injection was performed under visual inspection which allowed for the visualization of capsules in the vitreous.When attempting this procedure, do not use PBS for any washing steps because PBS dissolves formed alginate microcapsules. After its development, our lab is used as a delivery system to treat forms of heart failure and hypertension. This technique is considered a promising tool for the future treatment of different cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

encapsulated-cell-technology-for-delivery-biologics-to-mouse

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Constructing a Collagen Hydrogel for the Delivery of Stem Cell-loaded Chitosan Microspheres

Multipotent stem cells have been shown to be extremely useful in the field of regenerative medicine1-3. However, in order to use these cells effectively for tissue regeneration, a number of variables must be taken into account. These variables include: the total volume and surface area of the implantation site, the mechanical properties of the tissue and the tissue microenvironment, which includes the amount of vascularization and the components of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, the materials being used to deliver these cells must be biocompatible with a defined chemical composition while maintaining a mechanical strength that mimics the host tissue. These materials must also be permeable to oxygen and nutrients to provide a favorable microenvironment for cells to attach and proliferate. Chitosan, a cationic polysaccharide with excellent biocompatibility, can be easily chemically modified and has a high affinity to bind with in vivo macromolecules4-5. Chitosan mimics the glycosaminoglycan portion of the extracellular matrix, enabling it to function as a substrate for cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. In this study we utilize chitosan in the form of microspheres to deliver adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) into a collagen based three-dimensional scaffold6. An ideal cell-to-microsphere ratio was determined with respect to incubation time and cell density to achieve maximum number of cells that could be loaded. Once ASC are seeded onto the chitosan microspheres (CSM), they are embedded in a collagen scaffold and can be maintained in culture for extended periods. In summary, this study provides a method to precisely deliver stem cells within a three dimensional biomaterial scaffold.

A major hurdle in current stem cell therapies is determining the most effective method to deliver these cells to host tissues. Here, we describe a chitosan-based delivery method that is efficient and simple in approach, while allowing adipose-derived stem cells to maintain their multipotency.

Multipotent stem cells have been shown to be extremely useful in the field of regenerative medicine1-3. However, in order to use these cells effectively ...

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Rapid mechanical deformation of cells has emerged as a promising, vector-free method for intracellular delivery of macromolecules and nanomaterials. This technology has shown potential in addressing previously challenging applications; including, delivery to primary immune cells, cell reprogramming, carbon nanotube, and quantum dot delivery. This vector-free microfluidic platform relies on mechanical disruption of the cell membrane to facilitate cytosolic delivery of the target material. Herein, we describe the detailed method of use for these microfluidic devices including, device assembly, cell preparation, and system operation. This delivery approach requires a brief optimization of device type and operating conditions for previously unreported applications. The provided instructions are generalizable to most cell types and delivery materials as this system does not require specialized buffers or chemical modification/conjugation steps. This work also provides recommendations on how to improve device performance and trouble-shoot potential issues related to clogging, low delivery efficiencies, and cell viability.

Rapid mechanical deformation of cells has emerged as a promising, vector-free method for intracellular delivery of macromolecules and nanomaterials. This protocol provides detailed steps on how to use the system for a broad range of applications.

Rapid mechanical deformation of cells has emerged as a promising, vector-free method for intracellular delivery of macromolecules and nanomaterials. This ...

Microscale Vortex-assisted Electroporator for Sequential Molecular Delivery

Electroporation has received increasing attention in the past years, because it is a very powerful technique for physically introducing non-permeant exogenous molecular probes into cells. This work reports a microfluidic electroporation platform capable of performing multiple molecule delivery to mammalian cells with precise and molecular-dependent parameter control. The system&#8217;s ability to isolate cells with uniform size distribution allows for less variation in electroporation efficiency per given electric field strength; hence enhanced sample viability. Moreover, its process visualization feature allows for observation of the fluorescent molecular uptake process in real-time, which permits prompt molecular delivery parameter adjustments in situ for efficiency enhancement. To show the vast capabilities of the reported platform, macromolecules with different sizes and electrical charges (e.g., Dextran with MW of 3,000 and 70,000 Da) were delivered to metastatic breast cancer cells with high delivery efficiencies (&#62;70%) for all tested molecules. The developed platform has proven its potential for use in the expansion of research fields where on-chip electroporation techniques can be beneficial.

A microfluidic vortex assisted electroporation platform was developed for sequential delivery of multiple molecules into identical cell populations with precise and independent dosage control. The system&#8217;s size based target cell purification step preceding electroporation aided to enhance molecular delivery efficiency and processed cell viability.

Electroporation has received increasing attention in the past years, because it is a very powerful technique for physically introducing non-permeant ...

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Heart valve disease is a major burden in the Western world and no effective treatment is available. This is mainly due to a lack of knowledge of the molecular, cellular and mechanical mechanisms underlying the maintenance and/or loss of the valvular structure. 
Current models used to study valvular biology include in vitro cultures of valvular endothelial and interstitial cells. Although, in vitro culturing models provide both cellular and molecular mechanisms, the mechanisms involved in the 3D-organization of the valve remain unclear. While in vivo models have provided insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying valvular development, insight into adult valvular biology is still elusive. 
In order to be able to study the regulation of the valvular 3D-organization on tissue, cellular and molecular levels, we have developed the Miniature Tissue Culture System. In this ex vivo flow model the mitral or the aortic valve is cultured in its natural position in the heart. The natural configuration and composition of the leaflet are maintained allowing the most natural response of the valvular cells to stimuli. The valves remain viable and are responsive to changing environmental conditions. This MTCS may provide advantages on studying questions including but not limited to, how does the 3D organization affect valvular biology, what factors affect 3D organization of the valve, and which network of signaling pathways regulates the 3D organization of the valve.

Here, we present an ex vivo flow model in which murine cardiac valves can be cultured allowing the study of the biology of the valve.

Heart valve disease is a major burden in the Western world and no effective treatment is available. This is mainly due to a lack of knowledge of the ...

Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier

The controlled delivery of drug/imaging agents to cells is critical for the development of therapeutics and for the study of cellular signaling processes. Recently, nanoparticles (NPs) have shown significant promise in the development of such delivery systems. Here, a liquid crystal NP (LCNP)-based delivery system has been employed for the controlled delivery of a water-insoluble dye, 3,3&#8242;-dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate (DiO), from within the NP core to the hydrophobic region of a plasma membrane bilayer. During the synthesis of the NPs, the dye was efficiently incorporated into the hydrophobic LCNP core, as confirmed by multiple spectroscopic analyses. Conjugation of a PEGylated cholesterol derivative to the NP surface (DiO-LCNP-PEG-Chol) enabled the binding of the dye-loaded NPs to the plasma membrane in HEK 293T/17 cells. Time-resolved laser scanning confocal microscopy and F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging confirmed the passive efflux of DiO from the LCNP core and its insertion into the plasma membrane bilayer. Finally, the delivery of DiO as a LCNP-PEG-Chol attenuated the cytotoxicity of DiO; the NP form of DiO exhibited ~30-40% less toxicity compared to DiOfree delivered from bulk solution. This approach demonstrates the utility of the LCNP platform as an efficient modality for the membrane-specific delivery and modulation of hydrophobic molecular cargos.

A liquid crystal nanoparticle (LCNP) nanocarrier is exploited as a vehicle for the controlled delivery of a hydrophobic cargo to the plasma membrane of living cells.

The controlled delivery of drug/imaging agents to cells is critical for the development of therapeutics and for the study of cellular signaling processes. ...

Intraductal Delivery to the Rabbit Mammary Gland

Localized intraductal treatments for breast cancer offer potential advantages, including efficient delivery to the tumor and reduced systemic toxicity and adverse effects1,2,3,4,5,6,7. However, several challenges remain before these treatments can be applied more widely. The development and validation of intraductal therapeutics in an appropriate animal model facilitate the development of intraductal therapeutic strategies for patients. While the mouse mammary gland has been widely used as a model system of mammary development and tumorigenesis, the anatomy is distinct from the human gland. A larger animal model, such as the rabbit, may serve as a better model for mammary gland structure and intraductal therapeutic development. In contrast to mice, in which ten ductal trees are spatially distributed along the body axis, each terminating in a separate teat, the rabbit mammary gland more closely resembles the human gland, with multiple overlapping ductal systems that exit through separate openings in one teat. Here, we present minimally invasive methods for the delivery of reagents directly into the rabbit mammary duct and for visualization of the delivery itself with high-resolution ultrasound imaging.

Here, we describe a technique for the localized delivery of reagents to the rabbit mammary gland via an intraductal injection. In addition, we describe a protocol for visualization and the confirmation of delivery by high-resolution ultrasound imaging of contrast agents.

Localized intraductal treatments for breast cancer offer potential advantages, including efficient delivery to the tumor and reduced systemic toxicity and ...

Fabrication of Extracellular Matrix-derived Foams and Microcarriers as Tissue-specific Cell Culture and Delivery Platforms

Cell function is mediated by interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM), which has complex tissue-specific composition and architecture. The focus of this article is on the methods for fabricating ECM-derived porous foams and microcarriers for use as biologically-relevant substrates in advanced 3D in vitro cell culture models or as pro-regenerative scaffolds and cell delivery systems for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Using decellularized tissues or purified insoluble collagen as a starting material, the techniques can be applied to synthesize a broad array of tissue-specific bioscaffolds with customizable geometries. The approach involves mechanical processing and mild enzymatic digestion to yield an ECM suspension that is used to fabricate the three-dimensional foams or microcarriers through controlled freezing and lyophilization procedures. These pure ECM-derived scaffolds are highly porous, yet stable without the need for chemical crosslinking agents or other additives that may negatively impact cell function. The scaffold properties can be tuned to some extent by varying factors such as the ECM suspension concentration, mechanical processing methods, or synthesis conditions. In general, the scaffolds are robust and easy to handle, and can be processed as tissues for most standard biological assays, providing a versatile and user-friendly 3D cell culture platform that mimics the native ECM composition. Overall, these straightforward methods for fabricating customized ECM-derived foams and microcarriers may be of interest to both biologists and biomedical engineers as tissue-specific cell-instructive platforms for in vitro and in vivo applications.

The tissue-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key mediator of cell function. This article describes methods for synthesizing pure ECM-derived foams and microcarriers that are stable in culture without the need for chemical crosslinking for applications in advanced 3D in vitro cell culture models or as pro-regenerative bioscaffolds.

Cell function is mediated by interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM), which has complex tissue-specific composition and architecture. The focus ...

Preparing Protein Producing Synthetic Cells using Cell Free Bacterial Extracts, Liposomes and Emulsion Transfer

The bottom-up assembly approach for construction of synthetic cells is an effective tool for isolating and investigating cellular processes in a cell mimicking environment. Furthermore, the development of cell-free expression systems has demonstrated the ability to reconstitute the protein production, transcription and translation processes (DNA&#8594;RNA&#8594;protein) in a controlled manner, harnessing synthetic biology. Here we describe a protocol for preparing a cell-free expression system, including the production of a potent bacterial lysate and encapsulating this lysate inside cholesterol-rich lipid-based giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) (i.e., stable liposomes), to form synthetic cells. The protocol describes the methods for preparing the components of the synthetic cells including the production of active bacterial lysates, followed by a detailed step-by-step preparation of the synthetic cells based on a water-in-oil emulsion transfer method. These facilitate the production of millions of synthetic cells in a simple and affordable manner with a high versatility for producing different types of proteins. The obtained synthetic cells can be used to investigate protein/RNA production and activity in an isolated environment, in directed evolution, and also as a controlled drug delivery platform for on-demand production of therapeutic proteins inside the body.

This protocol describes the method, materials, equipment and steps for bottom-up preparation of RNA and protein producing synthetic cells. The inner aqueous compartment of the synthetic cells contained the S30 bacterial lysate encapsulated within a lipid bilayer (i.e., stable liposomes), using a water-in-oil emulsion transfer method.

The bottom-up assembly approach for construction of synthetic cells is an effective tool for isolating and investigating cellular processes in a cell ...

Segmenting Growth of Endothelial Cells in 6-Well Plates on an Orbital Shaker for Mechanobiological Studies

Shear stress imposed on the arterial wall by the flow of blood affects endothelial cell morphology and function. Low magnitude, oscillatory and multidirectional shear stresses have all been postulated to stimulate a pro-atherosclerotic phenotype in endothelial cells, whereas high magnitude and unidirectional or uniaxial shear are thought to promote endothelial homeostasis. These hypotheses require further investigation, but traditional in vitro techniques have limitations, and are particularly poor at imposing multidirectional shear stresses on cells. 
One method that is gaining increasing use is to culture endothelial cells in standard multi-well plates on the platform of an orbital shaker; in this simple, low-cost, high-throughput and chronic method, the swirling medium produces different patterns and magnitudes of shear, including multidirectional shear, in different parts of the well. However, it has a significant limitation: cells in one region, exposed to one type of flow, may release mediators into the medium that affect cells in other parts of the well, exposed to different flows, hence distorting the apparent relation between flow and phenotype. 
Here we present an easy and affordable modification of the method that allows cells to be exposed only to specific shear stress characteristics. Cell seeding is restricted to a defined region of the well by coating the region of interest with fibronectin, followed by passivation using passivating solution. Subsequently, the plates can be swirled on the shaker, resulting in exposure of cells to well-defined shear profiles such as low magnitude multidirectional shear or high magnitude uniaxial shear, depending on their location. As before, the use of standard cell-culture plasticware allows straightforward further analysis of the cells. The modification has already allowed the demonstration of soluble mediators, released from endothelium under defined shear stress characteristics, that affect cells located elsewhere in the well.

This protocol describes a coating method to restrict endothelial cell growth to a specific region of a 6-well plate for shear stress application using the orbital shaker model.

Shear stress imposed on the arterial wall by the flow of blood affects endothelial cell morphology and function. Low magnitude, oscillatory and ...

Formulating and Characterizing Lipid Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery using a Microfluidic Mixing Platform

Lipid-based drug carriers have been used for clinically and commercially available delivery systems due to their small size, biocompatibility, and high encapsulation efficiency. Use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to encapsulate nucleic acids is advantageous to protect the RNA or DNA from degradation, while also promoting cellular uptake. LNPs often contain multiple lipid components including an ionizable lipid, helper lipid, cholesterol, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated lipid. LNPs can readily encapsulate nucleic acids due to the ionizable lipid presence, which at low pH is cationic and allows for complexation with negatively charged RNA or DNA. Here LNPs are formed by encapsulating messenger RNA (mRNA) or plasmid DNA (pDNA) using rapid mixing of the lipid components in an organic phase and the nucleic acid component in an aqueous phase. This mixing is performed using a precise microfluidic mixing platform, allowing for nanoparticle self-assembly while maintaining laminar flow. The hydrodynamic size and polydispersity are measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The effective surface charge on the LNP is determined by measuring the zeta potential. The encapsulation efficiency is characterized using a fluorescent dye to quantify entrapped nucleic acid. Representative results demonstrate the reproducibility of this method and the influence that different formulation and process parameters have on the developed LNPs.

Lipid nanoparticles are developed using a microfluidic mixing platform approach for mRNA and DNA encapsulation.

Lipid-based drug carriers have been used for clinically and commercially available delivery systems due to their small size, biocompatibility, and high ...