Single-Cell Liquid-Core Microcapsules for Biomedical Applications

resumo

More recently, single-cell encapsulation emerged as a promising field in biomedicine due to its potential applications, in cell analysis and therapy. Traditional techniques involve embedding cells in crosslinked polymers to create continuous microgels, suitable mainly for adherent cells, or encapsulating them in droplets for only short-term analysis, due to their instability. In this study, we developed a method for encapsulating single cells in liquid-core microcapsules to address these limitations. The liquid encapsulation system is generated in an all aqueous environment through polymeric electrostatic interactions. Additionally, we design an innovative and low cost sorting system utilizing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to efficiently select single-cell encapsulated units for further analysis and applications. This system is tested with both suspension and adherent cell types, demonstrating cytocompatibility and no abnormal effects on cell behavior. The MNP-based sorting achieved nearly 80% purity of the single-cell population. Overall, this technology provides a highly efficient method for single-cell applications, such as cell screening, by enabling precise short to medium-term analysis, real time monitoring, and high resolution imaging of cellular behavior. Furthermore, the semipermeable membrane unlocks new potential for advancing cell therapy by offering protection for encapsulated cells while ensuring the efficient diffusion of therapeutic factors, paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies.

palavras-chave

MESENCHYMAL STEM-CELLS; ALGINATE MICROCAPSULES; DROPLET MICROFLUIDICS; ENCAPSULATION; MICROGELS; ARRAY; FLOW; OIL

categoria

Engineering; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Materials Science

autores

Pires-Santos, M; Carreira, M; Morais, BP; Perfeito, FG; Oliveira, MB; Monteiro, CF; Nadine, S; Mano, JF

Grupos

G5 - Materiais Biomiméticos, Biológicos e Vivos

Projectos

Bioinspired tile-matching to create ultrastructured bone microtissues in a close-to-native fashion (TETRISSUE)

Unlocking the scientific excellence and innovation capacity of the University of Aveiro in supramolecular multicomponent biomaterials for enabling advanced biomaterials for healthcare (SUPRALIFE)

CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)

CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)

Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)

agradecimentos

This work was financed by the European Research Council Advanced Grant "REBORN" (grant agreement no. ERC-2019-ADG-883370) and by national funds (OE) through FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the project "TETRISSUE" (PTDC/BTM-MAT/3201/2020) and "O2Cells" (2022.04237.PTDC), and by PhD grant of the first author (2024.01120.BD), and the following coauthors, Mariana Carreira (2021.04542.BD), Bruno P. Morais (2020.06247.BD), and Francisca G. Perfeito (10.54499/2021.06131.BD). This work was funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 101079482 ("SUPRALIFE"). This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/50011/2020), UIDP/50011/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/UIDP/50011/2020) & LA/P/0006/2020 (DOI:10.54499/LA/P/0006/2020), financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).