Investigation of encapsulation of pancreatic beta cells and curcumin within alginate microcapsules

Abstract

AbstractCell encapsulation is an ideal approach for the replacement of pancreatic function in Type 1 diabetes. Poor biocompatibility of microcapsules generates an inflammatory response in the implantation site and induces fibrosis infiltration, which causes microencapsulated cell death and graft failure. To prevent inflammation after implantation, composite microcapsules that exhibit anti‐inflammatory properties were designed. This study is about encapsulating beta cells and curcumin within 1.5% alginate by the jet‐breaking regime of the syringe pump. The microcapsules’ size distribution and rate of the alginate solution were characterized to find uniform particles. Micro‐size particles were attained at a rate of 25 mL/min. Uniform spherical microcapsules (200–300 μm) were created in large amounts in a short period. Microcapsule breakage was less than 3% during 7 days, which demonstrated the stability of the encapsulation method. Insulin secretion and cell viability assays were performed 1, 3, and 7 days after microencapsulation by glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. No significant differences in the amount of insulin secretion and beta cell viability were observed among free cells, alginate microcapsules, and curcumin‐alginate microcapsules during 7 days (p > 0.05). Therefore, the curcumin and alginate membrane did not show any harmful impacts on the function and survival of the beta cells.