Validation of microencapsulation technique in an In Vivo model - Innovation in Cellular Therapy with potential for global impact

• Grant number: 24/07702-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biology
• Principal Investigator: Roberta Sessa Stilhano Yamaguchi
• Grantee: Vinicius Monnerat Peres
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP). Fundação Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cell therapy is a treatment modality that involves the transfer of cells for the purpose of treating a disease, replacing cells, or regenerating target tissue. The introduced cells can be either autologous (from the patient themselves) or allogeneic (from a donor). They are then treated and/or modified according to the treatment objectives before being reintroduced into the patient. Despite its promise, cell therapy faces various challenges at different stages, with one of the main challenges being how to effectively introduce the new cells into the patient. A great number of strategies encounter similar issues - immunological clearance and off-target effects. To address these challenges, encapsulation techniques have been incorporated into cell therapy. Thus, cells can have mechanical protection against the immune system and, with the capsules being decorated, the precision of delivery to destination sites increases. These capsules are composed of various materials and parameter combinations, including thickness, diameter, and surface uniformity, which can be adjusted by modifying variables in the Air-Jet microfluidics system. Recognizing the advantages of encapsulation in cell therapy, the ability to produce capsules with specific parameters tailored to project objectives further enhances its efficacy. Therefore, this project aims to establish standardized models for synthesizing alginate hydrogel microcapsules using the Air-Jet system and encapsulating muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs). Finally, to validate this microencapsulation technique, tests will be conducted using an in vivo model of muscle injury, with the primary goal of assessing the functionality of cell therapy.