Multilayered polyelectrolyte-based capsules for cell encapsulation and delivery of therapeutic compositions
AssigneeIslet Sciences, Inc.
InventorsJain KROTZ, Amish PATEL
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Abstract
The present invention provides novel, biocompatible matrices for cell encapsulation and transplantation. It further provides methods for delivering agents to encapsulated cells and to the local environment of a host system. The invention also provides methods for targeting and manipulating particular cells and/or proteins of the host system. In a composition aspect of the invention, a composition including a collection of capsules is provided. The capsules comprise an inner core, and the inner core is covered by an outer shell composed of a positive polyelectrolyte and a negative polyelectrolyte. The inner core of the capsules contains at least one cell.
Claims24
A composition comprising a plurality of capsules, wherein each capsule comprises:
- an inner core coated with an alginate and comprising at least one porcine islet cell;
- and
- an outer shell enclosing the inner core and comprising at least one positive polyelectrolyte and at least one negative polyelectrolyte arranged in oppositely charged layers.
A method for the formation of a polyelectrolyte-based capsule for porcine islet cell encapsulation comprising the steps of:
- a) suspending porcine islet cells in an alginate solution to form a suspension;
- b) generating droplets of the suspension;
- c) gelling the droplets to form cell-encapsulated alginate beads;
- d) incubating the alginate beads in a first polyelectrolyte solution under conditions to form a first polyelectrolyte layer on the alginate beads;
- e) rinsing the alginate beads having a first polyelectrolyte layer;
- f) incubating the alginate beads having a first polyelectrolyte layer in a second polyelectrolyte solution under conditions to form a second polyelectrolyte layer on the first electrolyte layer resulting in alginate beads encapsulated within a polyelectrolyte bilayer, wherein the second polyelectrolyte has the opposite charge from the first polyelectrolyte;
- g) rinsing the encapsulated alginate beads;
- and
- h) optionally repeating steps d), e), f) and g) to form additional polyelectrolyte bilayers on the encapsulated alginate beads;
- wherein neither the first polyelectrolyte nor the second polyelectrolyte is alginate.
A porcine islet cell capsule comprising an inner core coated with an alginate and comprising at least one porcine islet cell;
- and an outer shell enclosing the inner core and comprising at least one positive polyelectrolyte and at least one negative polyelectrolyte arranged in oppositely charged layers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.