Effect of formulation variables on entrapment efficiency and release characteristics of bovine serum albumin from carboxymethyl xanthan microparticles

Xanthan gum was derivatized to sodium carboxymethyl xanthan (SCMX) gum with a view to prepare bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐loaded carboxymethyl xanthan (CMX) microparticles through interaction with metal ion in a completely aqueous environment. The effect of various formulation variables, such as a pH of SCMX gum solution, concentration of BSA and SCMX gum, and gelation time on BSA entrapment efficiency and release of the protein in different media were studied. While BSA entrapment efficiency was found to decrease with increase in gelation time and initial BSA loading, the same was found to increase with increase in concentration of SCMX gum. Although the release of BSA in acidic medium was almost equal to that in alkaline medium, as compared up to 2 hr, the release in alkaline medium was found to be prolonged to a different extent depending upon the formulation variables. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Permeability of silk microcapsules made by the interfacial adsorption of protein

The assembly of colloidal particles at a liquid/liquid interface is a useful technique for the formation of a large variety of structures. Recently, we created a new method which uses liquid/liquid interfaces to assemble recombinant silk proteins into thin-shelled microcapsules. These microcapsules are mechanically stable and well suited to applications such as enzyme therapy and artificial cells. In this paper the permeability properties of these microcapsules are investigated using a novel measurement technique. It is found that the microcapsules are polydisperse in their permeabilities, but for all measured microcapsules the permeability is in the range required to protect encapsulants from immunoglobulin proteins, while allowing small molecules to enter the capsule freely.     

Rigidity‐Dependent Placental Cells Uptake of Silk‐Based Microcapsules

Polymeric microcapsules have begun to attract significant interest in biomedical fields. As the interactions between cells and materials are influenced by both cell type and elasticity, silk‐based microcapsules are synthesized with desirable mechanical features using layer‐by‐layer assembly and then the uptake of these microcapsules by BeWo b30 placental cells is investigated. Cellular uptake is enhanced with increasing of elastic modulus of the silk‐based microcapsules. More importantly, the distinct microvilli of these cells behaves in a diverse manner when exposed to microcapsules with different mechanical features, including grabbing (rigidity) or random touching (soft) behavior; these factors affect the final uptake. Inspired by oocyte pickup, the grabbing behavior of the microvilli may provide valuable information with which to elucidate the specific characteristics of uptake between cells and man‐made particles, particularly in the reproductive system.     

壳聚糖溶液pH对载细胞海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊性能的影响

以激光共聚焦扫描显微镜为研究手段, 原位直观地考察了在不同pH条件下聚电解质膜的络合程度和蛋白扩散情况. 通过分析pH值对微胶囊膜性能的影响规律, 并结合不同种类细胞对环境pH的敏感特性, 确定了制备细胞培养用海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊的最佳pH值. 结果表明, 当壳聚糖溶液的pH值由3.50增加到6.50, 微胶囊膜的络合深度呈现高-低-高的趋势, 而微胶囊膜的膨胀性能呈现低-高-低的趋势, 模型蛋白通过微囊膜的扩散呈现低-高-低的趋势, 拐点均出现在pH=4.00和5.50处. 结合动物细胞及微生物细胞对环境pH耐受能力的考察, 确定制备微囊化动物细胞时, 微胶囊成膜反应溶液的最佳pH值为5.50; 制备微囊化大肠杆菌时, 反应溶液的最佳pH值为5.00; 制备微囊化酵母菌时, 反应溶液的最佳pH值为4.50.     

Combinatorial effect of different alginate compositions, polycations, and gelling ions on microcapsule properties

Microencapsulation technology is commonly used to deliver cells and drugs for therapeutic applications. The encapsulation material has a direct influence over the properties of microcapsules and will eventually dictate the efficacy of this delivery system. In this study, the combinatory effect of different alginate compositions, polycations and gelling ions was investigated to determine their roles in affecting the properties of the microcapsules. A multifactorial relationship was found between the three factors, in which certain factors took priority over others in influencing the overall property of the microcapsules. As the size of the microcapsules was kept constant throughout the investigation, further insights into the role of fabrication parameters on microcapsules size were also obtained. From the results, poly-l-lysine-coated microcapsules fabricated from 40/60 sodium alginate and cross-linked with barium chloride were the most ideal for applications that require both good mechanical as well as diffusion properties.     

Modeling the interactions between compliant microcapsules and pillars in microchannels

Using a computational model, we investigate the motion of microcapsules inside a microchannel that encompasses a narrow constriction. The microcapsules are composed of a compliant, elastic shell and an encapsulated fluid; these fluid-filled shells model synthetic polymeric microcapsules or biological cells (e.g., leukocytes). Driven by an imposed flow, the capsules are propelled along the microchannel and through the constricted region, which is formed by two pillars that lie in registry, extending from the top and bottom walls of the channels. The tops of these pillars (facing into the microchannel) are modified to exhibit either a neutral or an attractive interaction with the microcapsules. The pillars (and constriction) model topological features that can be introduced into microfluidic devices or the physical and chemical heterogeneities that are inherently present in biological vessels. To simulate the behavior of this complex system, we employ a hybrid method that integrates the lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) for fluid dynamics and the lattice spring model (LSM) for the micromechanics of elastic solids. Through this LBM/LSM technique, we probe how the capsule's stiffness and interaction with the pillars affect its passage through the chambers. The results yield guidelines for regulating the movement of microcarriers in microfluidic systems and provide insight into the flow properties of biological cells in capillaries.     

Controlled Release of Insulin Based on Temperature and Glucose Dual Responsive Biomicrocapsules

The treatment of diabetes lies in developing novel functional carriers, which are expected to have the unique capability of monitoring blood glucose levels continuously and dispensing insulin correctly and timely. Hence, this study is proposing to create a smart self-regulated insulin delivery system according to changes in glucose concentration. Temperature and glucose dual responsive copolymer microcapsules bearing N-isopropylacrylamide and 3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid as main components were developed by bottom-spray coating technology and template method. The insulinoma β-TC6 cells were trapped in the copolymer microcapsules by use of temperature sensitivity, and then growth, proliferation, and glucose-responsive insulin secretion of microencapsulated cells were successively monitored. The copolymer microcapsules showed favorable structural stability and good biocompatibility against β-TC6 cells. Compared with free cells, the biomicrocapsules presented a more effective and safer glucose-dependent insulin release behavior. The bioactivity of secreted and released insulin did not differ between free and encapsulated β-TC6 cells. The results demonstrated that the copolymer microcapsules had a positive effect on real-time sensing of glucose and precise controlled release of insulin. The intelligent drug delivery system is supposed to mimic insulin secretion in a physiological manner, and further provide new perspectives and technical support for the development of artificial pancreas.     

Ultrasound-assisted microencapsulation of jackfruit extract in eco-friendly powder particles: characterization and antiproliferative activity

The aim of the article was to develop stable and safe eco-friendly microcapsules and evaluate their physicochemical properties and their efficiency to protect a jackfruit extract. Eco-friendly microcapsules were produced by ultrasound and spray drying using only three safe ingredients: sucrose ester (SE), miglyol and maltodextrin (DE = 10). Some physicochemical properties, particle morphology, FT-IR, differential scanning calorimetry and antiproliferative activity were determined for microcapsules loaded or not with the jackfuit extract. The results revealed that the encapsulation process by spray drying produced stable microcapsules, with adequate physicochemical and fluid properties for a powder product. The cell viability on the proliferation of M12.C3.F6 cell line was not affected by powder microcapsules without jackfruit extract, indicating that capsules are not toxic for these cells. However, microcapsules with jackfruit extract (100 μg/ml) were able to inhibit significantly the proliferation of M12.C3.F6 cells. These microcapsules can be used for the protection of different compounds sensitive to light, oxygen and/or heat and displaying a very low aqueous solubility.     

Heterogeneity of Ion-Exchange Membranes: The Effects of Membrane Heterogeneity on Transport Properties

The heterogeneity of different cation-exchange membranes (Neosepta CMX, Selemion CMV, and HJC heterogeneous membrane) and their effects on transport properties were investigated using chronopotentiometry, membrane conductivity, and current-voltage curves. Modifying the classical Sand equation, a method has been developed to determine the fraction of the conducting region (epsilon) of the ion-exchange membrane. The epsilon values of the CMX, CMV, and HJC membranes were 0.93, 0.95, and 0.75, respectively. Considering the characteristics of each membrane-the CMX and CMV are reinforced homogeneous membranes, while the HJC is a heterogeneous membrane-the epsilon values determined in this study seem to be reasonable. The dependence of membrane conductivities and the limiting current densities on the fraction of conducting region of each membrane have also been studied. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Fork in the road: patterned surfaces direct microcapsules to make a decision

Using computational modeling, we simulate the motion of compliant microcapsules on patterned surfaces. The microcapsules, which consist of an elastic shell and an encapsulated fluid, model biological cells or polymeric particles. We focus on a surface that is decorated with a Y-shaped pattern. As compared to the stem of the Y, one branch is relatively soft, and the other branch is relatively sticky. The capsules are driven to move over this substrate by an imposed fluid flow. Upon reaching the junction point, we find that deformable capsules preferentially move onto the sticky branch and stiffer capsules move onto the soft branch. Thus, through their inherent interactions with the patterned domains, the microcapsules are driven to "make decisions" about their path along the surface. Such surface patterning provides a facile means of routing particular capsules to specified locations in microfluidic devices and can form a fundamental component in creating fluidic circuits where microcapsules carry out simple logic operations.     

Analytic properties of connected moments expansions

The derivation of the connected moments expansion (CMX ) is examined as well as the singularities that arise in the series expansion for the ground-state energy. Explicit analytic results are presented that show a canceling of these singularities. Also, an alternate moments expansion (AMX ) is derived that closely models the CMX but displays a varied computational range. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Facile fabrication of drug-loaded PEGDA microcapsules for drug evaluation using droplet-based microchip

Droplet-based microfluidic technology can be utilized as a microreactor to prepare novel functional monodisperse microcapsules. In this study, a droplet-based microfluidic chip with surface modification,which allowed the one-step preparation of double emulsion microcapsules. An O/W/O double emulsion using polyethylene(glycol) diacrylate(PEGDA) solution as the intermediate water phase was prepared by regulating the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the chip surface, with PEGDA microcapsules pr...     

Motion of compliant capsules on corrugated surfaces: A means of sorting by mechanical properties

We discuss a novel method for capturing the dynamic coupling between a fluid and an elastic solid, the so-called fluid–structure interaction. This method integrates a lattice Boltzmann model to capture the fluid dynamics with a lattice spring model to capture the micromechanics of the solid phase. We then examine the fluid-driven motion of microcapsules, which are modeled as fluid-filled, elastic shells, along a corrugated substrate. We show that the ability of the capsules to navigate along the surface depends critically on capsule's elastic modulus. In particular, we illustrate how this substrate can be utilized to design a device for sorting microcapsules by their mechanical properties. These results apply not only to polymeric microcapsules, but also describe the interaction between the substrate and certain biological cells (e.g., leukocytes and other cells with cytoskeletons). Hence, by isolating species of a certain stiffness, the device could be highly useful for applications in biotechnology and tissue engineering or in the quality control of fabricated microcapsules. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2667–2678, 2006     

海藻酸钠和壳聚糖聚电解质微胶囊及其生物医学应用

本文综述了天然多糖聚电解质海藻酸钠和壳聚糖的结构与化学性能（包括凝胶性能、生物相容性、生物可降解性及温和反应性）;微胶囊制备技术及其强度性能和膜渗透性评价方法;微胶囊作为细胞载体在体内分泌治疗性物质（如：胰岛素、多巴胺）或分解代谢毒性物质（如：尿素）,作为三维药物筛选系统、干细胞增殖分化研究工具,以及药物释放载体等生物医学领域的研究进展;最后讨论了天然多糖微胶囊研究与应用中需要解决的问题。     

海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊作为肠道内生化微反应器的研究

基因工程技术的发展使蛋白、多肽类高值生化药物的大规模生产得以实现并用于临床^[1].但目前存在产物分离、纯化工艺复杂、成本高等问题.因此,研制一种无需分离纯化、低成本的肠道内生化微反应器作为基因工程药物释放系统具有实际应用意义(例如将基因工程微生物包埋在具有半透性高分子膜的微胶囊中,口服后微囊化活细胞在肠道内生长并分泌有治疗作用的基因工程药物而达到治疗目的^[2]).本文以酵母菌Pichia pastoris GS115为模型菌株,以海藻酸钠-壳聚糖(A lginate-chitosan,AC)微胶囊为载体,考察了AC微囊化酵母菌在模拟胃肠液中的形态、膨胀性能、酵母菌存活率及小鼠口服后肠道黏膜粘附性能,初步证明AC微囊化基因工程酵母菌作为肠道生化微反应器是可行的.     

Preparation of protein microcapsules with narrow size distribution by sonochemical method

Protein microcapsules with narrow size distribution have been prepared by sonochemical method which is a simple, fast, environmental friendly and cost-effective method. The prepared microcapsules are composed of a water-insoluble core and an outer protein shell. The hydrophobic drugs could be encapsulated into protein microcapsules directly via sonochemical method by dissolving drugs in the nontoxic and edible vegetable oil before ultrasonication, which is a potential solution for drug resistance by hiding cytotoxic drugs in the carrier and allows for the delivery of high doses in relatively small volume. The size and size distribution of protein microcapsules are very important for their practical application. In this paper, the factors affecting the size and size distribution of protein microcapsules are investigated in detail. Moreover, confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the protein microcapsules with narrow size distribution were obtained.     

Hollow microcapsules built by layer by layer assembly for the encapsulation and sustained release of curcumin

Hollow microcapsules fabricated by layer-by-layer assembly (LbL) using oppositely charged polyelectrolytes have figured in studies towards the design of novel drug delivery systems. The possibility of loading a fair amount of active component of poor aqueous solubility is one of the encouraging factors on the wide spread interest of this emerging technology. Curcumin has potent anti-cancer properties. Clinical application of this efficacious agent in cancer and other diseases has been limited due to poor aqueous solubility and consequently minimal systemic bioavailability. LbL constructed polyelectrolyte microcapsules based drug delivery systems have the potential for dispersing hydrophobic agent like curcumin in aqueous media. Here we report the preparation of LbL assembled microcapsules composed of poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonic acid) and poly(ethylene imine) one after another. The microcapsules were characterized using various analytical techniques. Curcumin was encapsulated in these microcapsules and the efficacy of the released curcumin was studied using L929 cells.     

Multicore-shell PNIPAm-co-PEGMa microcapsules for cell encapsulation

The overall goal of this study was to fabricate multifunctional core-shell microcapsules with biological cells encapsulated within the polymer shell. Biocompatible temperature responsive microcapsules comprised of silicone oil droplets (multicores) and yeast cells embedded in a polymer matrix (shell) were prepared using a novel microarray approach. The cross-linked polymer shell and silicone multicores were formed in situ via photopolymerization of either poly(N-isopropylacryamide)(PNIPAm) or PNIPAm, copolymerized with poly(ethylene glycol monomethyl ether monomethacrylate) (PEGMa) within the droplets of an oil-in-water-in-oil double emulsion. An optimized recipe yielded a multicore-shell morphology, which was characterized by optical and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and theoretically confirmed by spreading coefficient calculations. Spreading coefficients were calculated from interfacial tension and contact angle measurements as well as from the determination of the Hamaker constants and the pair potential energies. The effects of the presence of PEGMa, its molecular weight (M(n) 300 and 1100 g/mol), and concentration (10, 20, and 30 wt %) were also investigated, and they were found not to significantly alter the morphology of the microcapsules. They were found, however, to significantly improve the viability of the yeast cells, which were encapsulated within PNIPAm-based microcapsules by direct incorporation into the monomer solutions, prior to polymerization. Under LSCM, the fluorescence staining for live and dead cells showed a 30% viability of yeast cells entrapped within the PNIPAm matrix after 45 min of photopolymerization, but an improvement to 60% viability in the presence of PEGMa. The thermoresponsive behavior of the microcapsules allows the silicone oil cores to be irreversibly ejected, and so the role of the silicone oil is 2-fold. It facilitates multifunctionality in the microcapsule by first being used as a template to obtain the desired core-shell morphology, and second it can act as an encapsulant for oil-soluble drugs. It was shown that the encapsulated oil droplets were expelled above the volume phase transition temperature of the polymer, while the collapsed microcapsule remained intact. When these microcapsules were reswollen with an aqueous solution, it was observed that the hollow compartments refilled. In principle, these hollow-core microcapsules could then be filled with water-soluble drugs that could be delivered in vivo in response to temperature.     

Degradation of PEG and non-PEG alginate-chitosan microcapsules in different pH environments

Bioencapsulation allows the protection of biologically active substances or cells from the biological environment. As such, bioencapsulation is often used for the delivery of drugs, growth factors and therapeutically useful cells. Depending on the site of implantation, the biocapsules are subjected to different pH environments, which will affect the degradation properties, mechanical properties and swelling behaviour of the biocapsules. As such, the encapsulation material plays an important role in the long term stability and performance of the biocapsules in vivo. In this study, five types of encapsulation materials were investigated: (i) alginate (A), (ii) alginate-chitosan (AC), (iii) alginate-chitosan-alginate (ACA), (iv) alginate-chitosan-polyethylene glycol (PEG) (ACP) and (v) alginate-chitosan-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-alginate (ACPA). Degradation studies were carried out by immersing the microcapsules in solutions of different pH values to investigate the role of the material as well as the number of encapsulation layers in maintaining the stability of the microcapsules in the different pH environments. Compression testing indicated that even with the presence of PEG on the surface membrane, there was not much difference in mechanical strength between ACA and ACPA microcapsules. However, the use of PEG did affect the weight change of the ACPA microcapsules when immersed in water and three different pH solutions. For the swelling test, the ACPA microcapsules showed a lower water uptake than ACA microcapsules. For degradation, the presence of PEG led to a lower increase in weight change compared to non-PEG chitosan microcapsules. Hence, the study revealed that PEG influenced the integrity of the surface membrane and not the mechanical strength of the microcapsules. With the inclusion of PEG, the interpenetrating network on the surface membrane would be further reinforced. As such, the addition of PEG to the alginate-chitosan microcapsules led to protection against an acidic environment, whilst the number of coating layers only influences the swelling properties and not the degradation and Young’s modulus of the microcapsules.     

载细胞海藻酸钠/壳聚糖微胶囊的化学破囊方法研究

以海藻酸钠-壳聚糖-海藻酸钠微胶囊(简称ACA微胶囊)为研究体系,建立了一种生理条件下ACA微胶囊的化学破囊方法,破囊过程充分考虑了对囊内生物物质活性的保持.以微生物细胞PichiapastorisGS115和动物细胞L929为模型,以NaHCO₃和Na₃C₆H5O₇·2H₂O为破囊液基本组分,考察了破囊液对ACA微胶囊的破囊效果及破囊过程对囊内细胞活性的影响.结果表明,破囊操作可在30s内完成,破囊率为100%,微胶囊膜完全溶解,破囊后细胞存活率在85%以上.