Improving Cell Encapsulation by Detection and Mitigation of Protruding Cells

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Type 1 diabetics require daily insulin injections for life. Transplanting insulin-secreting beta-type cells is apromising therapeutic strategy that requires an excellent supply of oxygen and nutrients to the transplantedcells, as well as effective immune protection of the transplanted cells, and prevention of cells escaping fromcapsules.Sernova Corp has developed proprietary implantable Cell PouchTM device technologies that becomevascularized and can then be loaded with islets, beta cells or other therapeutic cells. Immunoprotection in theCell PouchTM can be provided by encapsulating these cells in 300 micrometer calcium alginate beads, but thisapproach is now known to lead to some cells protruding through the capsule surfaces, compromising the wholetransplant. Outer calcium alginate shells have been added to coat protruding cells, but this doubles the finalbead diameter, unacceptably increasing dead volume and decreasing insulin secretion capacity. New strategiesfor detecting cell protrusion, and for forming outer shells with lower dead volume, are hence needed.Dr. Stöver has expertise in design and evaluation of alginate-based capsules for cell therapies. In this project,his group will develop new 3D quantitative fluorescence assays for protruding cells, and explore the scope fordouble encapsulations with lower dead volume. This information will inform future capsule compositions andmorphologies, in order to optimize cell protection and containment as well as cell function.