An Ultrathin Coating of Microcapsules Enhances the Function of Encapsulated Hepatocyte Spheroids.

ABSTRACT: Maintaining the differentiated phenotype and function of primary hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo represents a distinct challenge. Our paper describes microcapsules comprised of a bioactive polymer and overcoated with an ultrathin film as a means of maintaining the function of entrapped hepatocytes for at least two weeks. We previously demonstrated that heparin (Hep)-based microcapsules improved the function of entrapped primary hepatocytes by capturing and releasing cell-secreted inductive signals, including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Further enhancement of hepatic function could be gained by loading exogenous HGF into microcapsules. In this study, we demonstrate that an ultrathin coating of tannic acid (TA) further enhances endogenous HGF signaling for entrapped hepato

SUBMITTER: Choi D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11702863 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature