This work describes viability and distribution of INS-1E beta cells in shell-crosslinked alginate capsules, focussing on cells located near the capsule surface. Capsules were formed by air-shearing alginate suspensions of INS-1E cells into a gelling bath, and coating with poly-l-lysine (PLL) and 50% hydrolysed poly(methylvinylether-alt-maleic anhydride) to form crosslinked networks reinforcing the capsule surfaces. The percentage of cells at the capsule surface were determined using 2D and 3D confocal colocalization mapping. Encapsulated INS-1E cells showed high cell viability and progressive cell clustering out to six weeks. About 30% of cells were initially colocated with the 20 micrometer thick alginate-PLL-PMM50 shell, with 7% of cells protruded at the capsule surfaces, both reflecting random cell distributions. Protruding cells may cause cell-based immune responses, weaken capsules, and potentially result in cell escape from the capsules. The data shown indicate that reinforcing capsules with crosslinked shells may assist in preventing cell exposure and escape.

这项工作描述了壳交联的藻酸盐胶囊中INS-1Eβ细胞的活力和分布，重点是位于胶囊表面附近的细胞。胶囊由形成空气剪切INS-1E细胞中的藻酸盐悬浮液成凝胶浴，并用聚涂覆升-赖氨酸（PLL）和50％水解的聚（甲基乙烯基醚-马来酸酐）形成增强胶囊表面的交联网络。使用2D和3D共聚焦共定位图确定胶囊表面的细胞百分比。封装的INS-1E细胞显示出高的细胞活力，并且进行性细胞聚簇持续了6周。最初约有30％的细胞与20微米厚的藻酸盐PLL-PMM50外壳共置一处，其中7％的细胞突出于胶囊表面，均反映出随机的细胞分布。突出的细胞可能引起基于细胞的免疫反应，削弱胶囊，并可能导致细胞从胶囊中逸出。显示的数据表明，带有交联壳的增强胶囊可以帮助防止细胞暴露和逸出。