Silk fibroin microgels as a platform for cell microencapsulation

• DOI: 10.1007/s10856-022-06706-y
• Publication Date: 2022-12-31T09:07:36Z
• Authors: Nina Bono; Giulio Saroglia; Stefania Marcuzzo; Eleonora Giagnorio; Giuseppe Lauria; Elena Rosini; Luigi De Nardo; Athanassia Athana...; Gabriele Candiani; Giovanni Perotto
• Keywords: Fibroin; Sonication

Cell microencapsulation has been utilized for years as a means of cell shielding from the external environment while facilitating transport gases, general metabolites, and secretory bioactive molecules at once. In this light, hydrogels may support structural integrity functionality encapsulated biologics whereas ensuring viability function releasing potential therapeutic factors once in situ. work, we describe straightforward strategy to fabricate silk fibroin (SF) microgels (µgels) encapsulate cells into them. SF µgels (size ≈ 200 µm) were obtained through ultrasonication-induced gelation water-oil emulsion phase. A thorough physicochemical (SEM analysis, FT-IR) mechanical (microindentation tests) characterization carried out assess their nanostructure, porosity, stiffness. used culture L929 primary myoblasts. Interestingly, showed selective release relatively small proteins (e.g., VEGF, molecular weight, MW = 40 kDa) by myoblasts, bigger (macro)molecules (MW 160 hampered diffusing µgels. This article provided groundwork expand use versatile platform encapsulating relevant able paracrine potentially regulating tissue and/or organ functions, thus promoting regeneration.