Encapsulations of functional cells

Carturan, G., Dal Toso, R., Boninsegna, S. and Dal Monte, R. (2004) Encapsulation of functional cells by sol-gel silica actual progress and perspectives for cell therapy. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 14, 2087-2098. 

One important application of EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) material is the encapsulation of solar cells in photovoltaic (PV) modules, where the material has to fulfill several basic functions. Unfortunately, the lEC standard does not provide any information on the changes in the internal stmcture of the EVA encapsulant material as a consequence of encapsulation process or environmental exposure. 

In apoptotic cell death, several factors such as growth factors, NO, the tumor suppressor gene p53, and the protein encoded by this gene contribute to the process that leads to cell death. One of the functions of p53 protein is the activation of apoptosis if a cell is transformed to a malignant cell. Apoptosis typically leads to the formation of smaller membrane-encapsulated particles within the cell. Apoptotic cell death begins in the nucleus and proceeds to other parts of the cell. The death process may be quite advanced before it can... 

Some non-silica sol-gel materials have also been developed to immobilize bioactive molecules for the construction of biosensors and to synthesize new catalysts for the functional devices. Liu et al. [33] proved that alumina sol-gel was a suitable matrix to improve the immobilization of tyrosinase for detection of trace phenols. Titania is another kind of non-silica material easily obtained from the sol-gel process [34, 35], Luckarift et al. [36] introduced a new method for enzyme immobilization in a bio-mimetic silica support. In this biosilicification process precipitation was catalyzed by the R5 peptide, the repeat unit of the silaffin, which was identified from the diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis. During the enzyme immobilization in biosilicification the reaction mixture consisted of silicic acid (hydrolyzed tetramethyl orthosilicate) and R5 peptide and enzyme. In the process of precipitation the reaction enzyme was entrapped and nm-sized biosilica-immobilized spheres were formed. Carturan et al. [11] developed a biosil method for the encapsulation of plant and animal cells. 

A pharmacotectonics concept was illustrated by researchers, in which drug-delivery systems were arranged spatially in tissues to shape concentration fields for potent agents. NGF-releasing implants placed within 1-2 mm of the treatment site enhanced the biological function of cellular targets, whereas identical implants placed mm from the target site of treatment produced no beneficial effect (Mahoney and Saltzman, 1999). Because of some limitations with controlled delivery systems, alternatives such as encapsulation of cells that secrete these factors are discussed in the next section. 

Although certain simple functions of the liver, such as the removal of some toxins, can be performed by using dialysis and adsorption with activated charcoal, it is clear that such a simple artificial approach cannot perform the complex functions of the liver, and that any practical liver support system must use living hepatocytes. It should be mentioned at this point that hepatocytes have an anchorage-dependent nature that is, they require a form of anchor (i.e., a solid surface or scaffold) on which to grow. Thus, the use of single-cell suspensions is not appropriate for liver cell culture, and fiver cells attached to solid surfaces are normally used. Encapsulated fiver cells and spheroids (i.e., spherical aggregates of fiver cells) may also be used for this purpose. 

Biomaterial scientists and engineers are currently investigating novel formulations and modifications of existing materials that elicit specific, timely, and desirable responses from surrounding cells and tissues to support the osseointegration of the next generation of orthopedic and dental biomaterials (Ratner, 1992). Enhanced deposition of mineralized matrix at the bone-implant interface provides crucial mechanical stability to implants. Proactive orthopedic and dental biomaterials could consist of novel formulations that selectively enhance osteoblast function (such as adhesion, proliferation and formation of calcium-containing mineral) while, at the same time, minimize other cell (such as fibroblast) functions that may decrease implant efficacy (e.g., fibroblast participation in callus formation and fibrous encapsulation of implants in vivo). 

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