Un método para la foto-encapsulación de células en un hidrogel de PEG reticulado se describe. Señalización de hipoxia en insulinoma murino encapsulado (MIN6) agregados se realiza un seguimiento mediante un sistema de marcadores fluorescentes. Este sistema permite el examen de serie de células dentro de un hidrogel de andamios y la correlación de las señales de hipoxia con los cambios en el fenotipo celular.
In Diabetes mellitus type 1, autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic β-cells results in loss of insulin production and potentially lethal hyperglycemia. As an alternative treatment option to exogenous insulin injection, transplantation of functional pancreatic tissue has been explored1,2. This approach offers the promise of a more natural, long-term restoration of normoglycemia. Protection of the donor tissue from the host’s immune system is required to prevent rejection and encapsulation is a method used to help achieve this aim.
Biologically-derived materials, such as alginate3 and agarose4, have been the traditional choice for capsule construction but may induce inflammation or fibrotic overgrowth5 which can impede nutrient and oxygen transport. Alternatively, synthetic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogels are non-degrading, easily functionalized, available at high purity, have controllable pore size, and are extremely biocompatible,6,7,8. As an additional benefit, PEG hydrogels may be formed rapidly in a simple photo-crosslinking reaction that does not require application of non-physiological temperatures6,7. Such a procedure is described here. In the crosslinking reaction, UV degradation of the photoinitiator, 1-[4-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)-phenyl]-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propane-1-one (Irgacure 2959), produces free radicals which attack the vinyl carbon-carbon double bonds of dimethacrylated PEG (PEGDM) inducing crosslinking at the chain ends. Crosslinking can be achieved within 10 minutes. PEG hydrogels constructed in such a manner have been shown to favorably support cells7,9, and the low photoinitiator concentration and brief exposure to UV irradiation is not detrimental to viability and function of the encapsulated tissue10. While we methacrylate our PEG with the method described below, PEGDM can also be directly purchased from vendors such as Sigma.
An inherent consequence of encapsulation is isolation of the cells from a vascular network. Supply of nutrients, notably oxygen, is therefore reduced and limited by diffusion. This reduced oxygen availability may especially impact β-cells whose insulin secretory function is highly dependent on oxygen11-13. Capsule composition and geometry will also impact diffusion rates and lengths for oxygen. Therefore, we also describe a technique for identifying hypoxic cells within our PEG capsules. Infection of the cells with a recombinant adenovirus allows for a fluorescent signal to be produced when intracellular hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathways are activated14. As HIFs are the primary regulators of the transcriptional response to hypoxia, they represent an ideal target marker for detection of hypoxic signaling15. This approach allows for easy and rapid detection of hypoxic cells. Briefly, the adenovirus has the sequence for a red fluorescent protein (Ds Red DR from Clontech) under the control of a hypoxia-responsive element (HRE) trimer. Stabilization of HIF-1 by low oxygen conditions will drive transcription of the fluorescent protein (Figure 1). Additional details on the construction of this virus have been published previously15. The virus is stored in 10% glycerol at -80° C as many 150 μL aliquots in 1.5 mL centrifuge tubes at a concentration of 3.4 x 1010 pfu/mL.
Previous studies in our lab have shown that MIN6 cells encapsulated as aggregates maintain their viability throughout 4 weeks of culture in 20% oxygen. MIN6 aggregates cultured at 2 or 1% oxygen showed both signs of necrotic cells (still about 85-90% viable) by staining with ethidium bromide as well as morphological changes relative to cells in 20% oxygen. The smooth spherical shape of the aggregates displayed at 20% was lost and aggregates appeared more like disorganized groups of cells. While the low oxygen stress does not cause a pronounced drop in viability, it is clearly impacting MIN6 aggregation and function as measured by glucose-stimulated insulin secretion15. Western blot analysis of encapsulated cells in 20% and 1% oxygen also showed a significant increase in HIF-1α for cells cultured in the low oxygen conditions which correlates with the expression of the DsRed DR protein.
El método que aquí se presenta ofrece una técnica rápida y sencilla para la encapsulación de células en un hidrogel de PEG con un uso mínimo de condiciones no fisiológicas. PEG representa un material de encapsulación de gran utilidad para su biocompatibilidad y facilidad de modificación. Simple variación del porcentaje de PEG en la solución de fotoactivos, por ejemplo, se puede utilizar para ajustar las propiedades mecánicas, como el módulo de compresión, y las propiedades de transporte a través del tamaño de los poros. Además, el PEG es fácil de modificar por la adición de cadenas laterales. Hidrogeles de PEG, por lo tanto, representan tanto un dispositivo prometedor clínica y una plataforma flexible para la investigación in vitro
Un método para el seguimiento de la hipoxia en las células encapsuladas PEG-También se ha presentado. Este método es útil para la simplicidad de la detección de la hipoxia y para evitar la necesidad de sacrificar las células de interés. La técnica se puede aplicar a una variedad de tipos de células en una variedad de condiciones lo que nos de suefulness amplio. Por ejemplo, la hipoxia como señal para la diferenciación de células madre puede ser rastreado en las culturas madre micromasa celular. Sin embargo, este método sólo puede aplicarse a sistemas dispersos de células o sistema en el que dispersa las células son luego agregados. Además, la detección de la señal fluorescente puede ser difícil en los tejidos más grandes o más densas.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Gracias al laboratorio de Kristi Anseth de la Universidad de Colorado, Boulder generosamente proporcionaron MIN6 células. La financiación de este proyecto ha sido proporcionado por la NSF.
Name of the reagent | Company | Catalogue number | Comments (optional |
PEG | Sigma-Aldrich | 309028-500G | |
Methacrylic Anhydride | Sigma-Aldrich | 276685-100ML | |
Microwave | Emerson | MW8784SB | |
Vortexer | Scientific Industries | SI-A236 | |
Methylene Chloride | Sigma-Aldrich | D65100-1L | |
Diethyl Ether | Sigma-Aldrich | 346136-1L | |
Dialysis Tubing | Spectrum | 132640 | |
Laboratories | |||
Freezer | |||
Lyophilizer | Labconco | 7670521 | |
Vacuum pump | Welch | 8917Z-01 | |
Irgacure 2959 | Ciba-Geigy | 029891301PS04 | |
HBSS | Mediatech | 21-022-CV | |
Syringe Filter | VWR | 28145-477 | |
RPMI 1640 | Mediatech | * | *custom formulation |
FBS | PAA Laboratories | A15-351 | |
Penicillin-Streptomycin | Mediatech | 30-002-CI | |
Amphotericin B | Mediatech | 30-003-CF | |
Incubator | Thermo Scientific | 3597 | Napco Series 8000 WJ w/ O2 suppression |
Trypsin EDTA | Mediatech | 25-052-CI | |
Orbital Shaker | VWR | 12620-926 | |
UV Lamp | Sanyo Denri | FLR40SBLB/M | Holds two 40W, 365nm blacklight blue UV bulbs |
Centrifuge | Eppendorf | 5811 000.010* | *order number. Model 5810 R |
Microscope | Nikon | TI-ND6-PFS | With filterset for 556nm excitation/ 586nm emission |