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Improving alginate‐poly‐ L ‐ornithine‐alginate capsule biocompatibility through genipin crosslinking
Author(s) -
Hillberg Anna L.,
Kathirgamanathan Kalyani,
Lam Janice B. B.,
Law Lee Yong,
Garkavenko Olga,
Elliott Robert B.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.32835
Subject(s) - genipin , biocompatibility , capsule , materials science , in vivo , biomedical engineering , chemistry , chitosan , biochemistry , medicine , biology , botany , microbiology and biotechnology , metallurgy
DIABECELL® capsules comprise an inner core of alginate (Alg) coated with a polycationic polymer, poly‐ L ‐ornithine (PLO), designed as a stabilizing agent for strengthening the capsule wall, which is masked by an outer layer of biocompatible Alg. These polymeric microcapsules have demonstrated excellent mechanical properties and a reduction in hypoglycemia after tranplantation in human clinical trials; however, degradation of the outer Alg layer leaves the underlying layers of PLO exposed, which ultimately leads to reduced biocompatibility in vivo . Here we aim to improve capsule biocompatibility and to increase the hydrophilic properties of the capsule surface through chemical crosslinking/modification of the PLO layer using genipin. Fluorescence microscopy established crosslinking was limited to the layers of PLO. In vitro experiments confirmed islet viability and insulin release within chemically modified capsules over the course of a month and in vivo investigations demonstrated improved biocompatibility when comparing standard Alg/PLO/Alg capsules with genipin modified capsules. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.