Development of alginate-gelatin artificial cell for cell encapsulation

Abstract

Current study was aimed towards preparation of a prototype of artificial cell for encapsulation of chicken hepatocytes using a biocompatible material and investigation on the influence of chicken bone marrow cells on viability of hepatocytes under in vitro culture conditions. A mixture of sodium alginate-gelatin(1:2 ratio) and isolated cells at definite seeding concentrations were added to 0.9% ice cold solution of calcium chloride for the preparation of very thin gelatin hydrogels with cells encapsulated in it. Viability of hepatocytes was evaluated at 48hrs of incubation under 3 different combination of cultures, such as hepatocytes alone in monolayer culture, co-culturing of hepatocytes with encapsulated bone marrow cells and culture of co-encapsulated hepatocytes and bone marrow cells in hydrogels. Trypan blue cell viability tests on have confirmed reasonably good level of viability(70%) of encapsulated cells, confirming suitability of the hydorgel for the purpose. Further, the study has revealed positive influence of bone marrow cells in enhancing the viability of hepatocytes when co-cultured with encapsulated bone marrow cells. Outcomes of the study would find application in tissue regeneration process.