A Nano-In-Micro System for Enhanced Stem Cell Therapy of Ischemic Diseases.

ABSTRACT: Stem cell therapy holds great potential for treating ischemic diseases. However, contemporary methods for local stem cell delivery suffer from poor cell survival/retention after injection. We developed a unique multiscale delivery system by encapsulating therapeutic agent-laden nanoparticles in alginate hydrogel microcapsules and further coentrapping the nano-in-micro capsules with stem cells in collagen hydrogel. The multiscale system exhibits significantly higher mechanical strength and stability than pure collagen hydrogel. Moreover, unlike nanoparticles, the nano-in-micro capsules do not move with surrounding body fluid and are not taken up by the cells. This allows a sustained and localized release of extracellular epidermal growth factor (EGF), a substance that could significantly en

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5571461 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature