Force spectroscopy imaging and constriction assays reveal the effects of graphene oxide on the mechanical properties of alginate microcapsules

Virumbrales-Muñoz, María ; Paz-Artigas, Laura (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ciriza, Jesús (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Alcaine, Clara (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Espona-Noguera, Albert ; Doblaré, Manuel (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Sáenz del Burgo, Laura ; Ziani, Kaoutar ; Pedraz, José Luis ; Fernández, Luis ; Ochoa, Ignacio

Resumen: Microencapsulation of cells in hydrogel-based porous matrices is an approach that has demonstrated great success in regenerative cell therapy. These microcapsules work by concealing the exogenous cells and materials in a robust biomaterial that prevents their recognition by the immune system. A vast number of formulations and additives are continuously being tested to optimize cell viability and mechanical properties of the hydrogel. Determining the effects of new microcapsule additives is a lengthy process that usually requires extensive in vitro and in vivo testing. In this paper, we developed a workflow using nanoindentation (i.e., indentation with a nanoprobe in an atomic force microscope) and a custom-built microfluidic constriction device to characterize the effect of graphene oxide (GO) on three microcapsule formulations. With our workflow, we determined that GO modifies the microcapsule stiffness and surface properties in a formulation-dependent manner. Our results also suggest, for the first time, that GO alters the conformation of the microcapsule hydrogel and its interaction with subsequent coatings. Overall, our workflow can infer the effects of new additives on microcapsule surfaces. Thus, our workflow can contribute to diminishing the time required for the validation of new microcapsule formulations and accelerate their clinical translation.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01382

Año: 2021

Publicado en: ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 7 (2021), 242-253
ISSN: 2373-9878

Factor impacto JCR: 5.395 (2021)

Categ. JCR: MATERIALS SCIENCE, BIOMATERIALS rank: 18 / 45 = 0.4 (2021) - Q2 - T2

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 8.3 - Materials Science (Q1) - Engineering (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.935 - Biomedical Engineering (Q1) - Biomaterials (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/T62-20R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/78132/EU/Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership Joint Undertaking/ECSEL JU-78132-Position-II-2017-IA
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MEC/FPU12-05640
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/BIO2016-79092-R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/DPI2015-65401-C3-1-R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/PGC2018-097257-B-C31

Tipo y forma: Artículo (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Enfermería (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)
Área (Departamento): Area Histología (Dpto. Anatom.Histolog.Humanas)
Área (Departamento): Área Mec.Med.Cont. y Teor.Est. (Dpto. Ingeniería Mecánica)