Hydrogel helps stem cells to take root in a new place
Researchers at the University of Toronto have demonstrated that encapsulation in a hydrogel improves the results of stem cell transplantation into eye and brain tissue, maintaining their viability and promoting integration into the recipient's tissue.
Stem cells capable of differentiating into any type of cells in the body have a huge therapeutic potential. However, when transplanted into a living organism, laboratory-grown cells experience significant difficulties due to the complexity of the new microenvironment. In many cases, these lead to cell death or prevent their full integration into the surrounding tissues.
The authors propose a ready-made solution to this problem, which consists in the use of a hydrogel acting as a shell protecting cells during their transfer from culture to the body.
In one part of the study, they injected hydrogel-encapsulated photoreceptors grown from stem cells into the eyes of blind mice. The results obtained subsequently demonstrated the ability of the hydrogel to improve the survival of transplanted cells and their integration into surrounding tissues. As a result, the pupillary reflex in mice initially deprived of visual function was restored to about 15% of the normal value, which was manifested by the appearance of an adequate eye response to light.
Implantation of gel-encapsulated photoreceptors into the retina,
grown from stem cells, improved vision in a mouse model of blindness.
The second part of the study involved the introduction of stem cells into the brain of a mouse model of stroke. Within a few weeks after transplantation, the mice registered improvements in coordination of movements. The authors plan to conduct similar experiments on larger animal models, such as rats, which have a larger brain and are more suitable for conducting behavioral tests.
Introduction of stem cells into the damaged brain region of a mouse stroke model
provided improved coordination of movements for several weeks.
The authors believe that the ability of hydrogel to improve the survival of stem cells in two different components of the nervous system – the eye and the brain – indicates the possibility of its use for stem cell transplantation into various tissues and organs. Another advantage of this material, consisting of only two components – methylcellulose forming a gel and holding cells together and hyaluronic acid supporting the viability of cells, is its ability to be broken down and excreted from the body within a few weeks.
A hydrogel made of hyaluronic acid and methylcellulose.
Article by Molly Shoichet et al. A Hyaluronan-Based Injectable Hydrogel Improves the Survival and Integration of Stem Cell Progeny following Transplantation published in the journal Stem Cell Reports.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the University of Toronto:
Hydrogels boost ability of stem cells to restore eyesight and heal brains.
15.05.2015