Encapsulation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in LunaGel Photocrosslinkable Extracellular Matrix and Subcutaneous Transplantation in Mice

• Published in: Biomedicines Vol. 11; no. 4; p. 1158
• Main Authors: Pham, Truc Le-Buu, Nguyen, Dang Phu-Hai, Luu, Thao Thi-Thu, Nguyen, Luong Si, Binh, Nguyen Trong, Nguyen, Quan Dang, Tran, Phong Anh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01-04-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Adipocytes; Body fat; Bone marrow; Cell culture; Cell differentiation; Cell proliferation; Cell viability; cell-laden scaffold; Collagen; Connective tissues; Cytotoxicity; Encapsulation; Extracellular matrix; Flow cytometry; Gelatin; Growth factors; Hydrogels; Immune system; LunaGel; Mesenchymal stem cells; Mesoderm; regenerative medicine; Scanning electron microscopy; Stem cell research; Stem cell transplantation; Stem cells; Tissue engineering; Toxicity; Transplantation; Umbilical cord; Vietnam; United States > US; LunaGel; umbilical cord; cell-laden scaffold; mesenchymal stem cells; regenerative medicine
• ISSN: 2227-9059; 2227-9059
• DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041158

Stem cells have significant potential in regenerative medicines. However, a major issue with implanting stem cells in the regeneration of new tissue is the methods to implant them and cell viability and functions before and after implantation. Here we developed a simple yet effective method that used photo-crosslinkable gelatin-based hydrogel (LunaGel
) as a scaffold for the encapsulation, expansion, and eventually, transplantation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) into mice subcutaneously. We demonstrated the proliferation and maintenance of the original expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers as well as the ability to differentiate into mesoderm-derived cells. The hydrogel was highly stable with no signs of degradation after 20 days in PBS. The hUC-MSCs remained viable after transplantation into mice's subcutaneous pockets and migrated to integrate with the surrounding tissues. We showed a collagen-rich layer surrounding the transplanted cell-laden scaffold indicating the effects of growth factors secreted by the hUC-MSCs. A connective tissue layer was found between the implanted cell-laden scaffold and the collagen layer, and immunohistochemical staining results suggested that this tissue was derived from the MSCs which migrated from within the scaffold. The results, thus, also suggested a protective effect the scaffold has on the encapsulated cells from the antibodies and cytotoxic cells of the host immune system.