O Histoplasma capsulatum é um fungo dimórfico responsável por infecções pulmonares graves caracterizadas por reação granulomatosa. Sua incidência vem aumentando nos últimos anos devido principalmente às alterações imunológicas relacionadas ao comprometimento da imunidade celular. Anteriormente, nosso grupo de pesquisa demonstrou o envolvimento dos leucotrienos (LTs) nos mecanismos de defesa do hospedeiro durante a histoplasmose. Além disso, demonstrou que antígenos livres de células (CFAgs, do inglês cell-free antigens), derivados de H. capsulatum, quando empregados na imunização de animais, conferem proteção eficiente aos mesmos e controle da infecção, uma vez que ativam a imunidade celular, e aumento da produção de LTs nos pulmões dos animais imunizados. Assim, nosso grupo desenvolveu microesferas (MS) biodegradáveis, constituídas de ésteres derivados dos ácidos láctico e glicólico (PLGA), contendo LTB4. Estas MS foram avidamente fagocitadas por macrófagos in vitro e aumentaram o recrutamento de leucócitos para os pulmões, quando administradas intratraquealmente. Diante do papel dos LTs na histoplasmose e dos potenciais terapêutico e profilático dos CFAgs, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as atividades biológicas in vitro e in vivo de MS contendo LTB4 e/ou CFAgs. Assim, foram desenvolvidas MS (PLGA) contendo LTB4 e/ou CFAgs através do processo de simples ou dupla emulsão seguido pela extração do solvente. Este método permitiu uma eficiente encapsulação tanto do mediador lipídico quanto dos antígenos protéicos e um perfil de liberação sustentada ao longo dos dias avaliados. O potencial zeta e a morfologia das MS não foram alterados com o processo de microencapsulação; da mesma forma, a integridade dos CFAgs não foi interferida. Para estudos in vitro, empregamos macrófagos diferenciados de medula óssea murina (BMDM). O tamanho adequado das MS contribuiu para sua eficiente fagocitose pelos BMDM e as MS contendo LTB4 e/ou CFAgs modularam a produção de TNF-, IL-1, IL-6 e IL-12, quimiocinas (KC, MCP-1 e RANTES), e nitrito, sendo que as MS-CFAgs mostraram-se mais potentes. O estímulo com as diferentes MS induziu discreto aumento na expressão de CD86 na superfície de BMDM. Neste contexto, verificamos o envolvimento do fator de transcrição NF-B durante a ativação de BMDM induzida pelas MS. Apesar da eficiente ativação dos BMDM induzida pelas MS, não foi possível evidenciar uma resposta imune celular em animais imunizados com as MS-LTB4+CFAgs ou MS-CFAgs. Portanto, futuros experimentos deverão ser realizados a fim de investigar o potencial profilático das MS contendo LTB4 e/ou CFAgs na histoplasmose. / Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic pathogenic fungus that causes a pulmonary disease characterized by chronic granulomatous reaction. In the last years, the incidence of histoplasmosis has increased, mainly as a result of the immunological alterations involved with deficiency of the cellular immunity. Previously, our research group demonstrated the involvement of leukotrienes (LTs) on host defense mechanisms during the histoplasmosis. Cell-free antigens (CFAgs) derived from H. capsulatum, when employed for animals´ immunization, can confer efficient protection and control of the infection, since they activate the cellular immunity. Furthermore, the protection of CFAgs-immunized mice was associated with increased LTB4 generation in the lungs. Based on these results, our group developed biodegradable microspheres (MS) based on PLGA containing LTB4. We showed that these MS were phagocytosed by macrophages in vitro and increased the leukocyte recruitment into the lungs, when administrated via intratracheal. Because the role of leukotrienes in the histoplasmosis and therapeutic and profilatic effects of CFAgs, the aim of this study was evaluate the in vitro and in vivo biological activities of MS containing LTB4 and/or CFAgs. Then, MS (PLGA) containing LTB4 and/or CFAgs were developed through simple or double emulsion/extraction process. This method allowed an efficient encapsulation of the lipid mediator and CFAgs, and a sustained release profile during the evaluated days. Zeta potential and morphology of MS were not altered with the microencapsulation process; CFAgs integrity was not interfered. For in vitro studies, we employed bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). The appropriate size of MS contributed for efficient uptake by BMDM. MS containing LTB4 and/or CFAgs modulated the TNF-, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-12, chemokines (KC, MCP-1 and RANTES), and nitrite production by BMDM, since the MS-CFAgs showed potent immunostimulant effect. Moreover, the stimulus with different MS provoked a discreet increase in the CD86 cell expression. Also we verified an involvement of the transcription factor NF-B during the BMDM activation induced by MS. Even though the in vitro biological activities on BMDM, it was not possible to evidence a cellular immune response in immunized mice with the MS-LTB4+CFAgs or MS-CFAgs. Therefore, future experiments should be conducted in order to investigate the profilatic potential of MS containing LTB4 and/or CFAgs in the histoplasmosis.

O glutaraldeído tem sido amplamente utilizado para reticulação química da gelatina, no entanto, substâncias de origem natural têm sido propostas como agentes reticulantes de melhor biocompatibilidade. Uma alternativa viável são os polifenois tais como os flavonois que também apresentam o potencial de sinergia com filtros solares e agentes antioxidantes utilizados em formulações cosméticas. No presente trabalho, microesferas de gelatina obtidas por polimerização em emulsão utilizando tensoativo e extração com solvente foram reticuladas com 10 mM de glutaraldeído (GTA) ou com 10 mM rutina (RUT) dissolvidos em acetona:NaOH 0,01 M. As características físico-químicas foram avaliadas por meio de: microscopia eletrônica de varredura, determinação do potencial de intumescimento por microscopia óptica comum, determinação de grupos aminos livres por reação com ácido 2,4,6- trinitrobenzenossulfônico, determinação de área superficial e porosidade por adsorção gasosa, determinação de densidade verdadeira por picnometria de gás hélio, distribuição granulometria por difração a laser, termogravimetria e análise térmica diferencial. Devido a interferentes, não foi possível mensurar a extensão de reticulação das microesferas reticuladas com RUT, porém os demais resultados obtidos sugerem que ocorreu reticulação mas em menor extensão que o GTA. A aplicabilidade em fotoproteção foi avaliada in vitro por espectrofotometria de refletância difusa em dispersões oleosas contendo benzofenona-3 e/ou octilmetoxicinamato. Os resultados observados indicaram que na concentração de 5% p/p as microesferas não reticuladas ou reticuladas com GTA ou RUT não apresentam eficácia fotoprotetora ou efeito sinérgico com os filtros químicos estudados. / Glutaraldehyde has been widely used as gelatin chemical cross-linking agent. However new natural cross-linking agents has been proposed as a more biocompatible source. Polyphenols are feasible candidates and the flavonols also exhibit potential synergism with sunscreens and antioxidant agents used in cosmetics formulations. In this study, gelatin microspheres obtained by polymerization in water-in-oil emulsion technique with tensoative and extraction with solvent were crosslinked with glutaraldehyde 10 mM (GTA) or with rutin 10 mM (RUT) solved in acetone:NaOH 0,01M. The physicochemical properties were evaluated by: scanning electron microscopy, swelling potential by optical microscopy, degree of cross-linking by 2,4,6-trinitro-benzensulfonic acid, surface area and porosity by gas adsorption, true density by hellium pycnometry, granulometry by laser light diffraction, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Due to interferents, was not possible to measure degree of cross-linking of gelatin microspheres crosslinked with RUT, however other findings suggest that crosslinking has occurred but in a lower degree than GTA crosslinking. Applicability in sun protection was evaluated in vitro by diffuse transmitance measurements in oily dispersion with benzophenone-3 and/or octyl methoxycinnamate. These results showed that at 5% w/w gelatin microspheres crosslinked with GTA or RUT did not exhibit sun protection efficacy or synergism with UV chemical filters that were evaluated.

A embolização intra-arterial é rotineiramente utilizada na prática clinica como co-adjuvante pré-operatório ou controle de tumores, tratamento de malformações arteriovenosas e outras doenças vasculares. Em vários casos é realizada com uso de partículas de diferentes formas e composições. Um agente embolizante esférico e utilizado com bons resultados é o trisacryl (Embosphere®; BioSphere® Medical). Um novo agente embólico - polivinil acetato esférico cobertas com polivinil álcool (PVAc) foi desenvolvido recentemente no Brasil. Este trabalho tem objetivo de avaliar, após embolização renal, o grau de oclusão vascular, recanalização da luz vascular e a necrose da parede vascular provocados por partículas de PVAc, utilizando como parâmetro partículas de trisacryl. Setenta e nove fêmeas de coelhos do tipo albino New Zealand foram submetidas a cateterização arterial do rim direito; trinta e três animais foram embolizados com trisacryl, trinta e um com PVAc e quinze animais compuseram o grupo de simulação, tendo sido excluídos quatro animais (três trisacryl e um PVAc) devido a óbito precoce. Foram criados cinco subgrupos de seis animais, que foram sacrificados após 48 horas, 5 dias, 10 dias, 30 dias e 90 dias após a embolização. O grupo de simulação seguiu a mesma ordem temporal com três animais em cada grupo. As técnicas de coloração utilizadas foram os métodos de hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e tricrômico de Masson com observação por microscopia óptica. Os resultados mostraram diferença significativa entre o grau de oclusão vascular nos grupos de 5 dias e 10 dias e necrose no grupo de 48 horas em favor do grupo embolizado com PVAc, que apresentou reação tecidual adequada (redução volumétrica e isquemia) e menor grau de recanalização que o trisacryl / Intra-arterial embolization is often utilized in medical practice preoperatively as adjuvant in controlling tumors, treatment of arteriovenous malformations and other vascular diseases. Often times, particles of different forms and compositions are employed. trisacryl (Embosphere®; BioSphere® Medical), a spheric embolic agent, is nowadays used with very satisfactory results. However, a new embolic agent spheric polyvinyl alcohol-covered polivinyl acetate (PVAc)- has been developed in Brazil. This study evaluates the degree of vascular occlusion, vascular recanalization and the necrosis of vascular wall caused by PVAc particles, compared with trisacryl, after renal embolization. Seventy-nine female albine New Zealand rabbits underwent arterial catheterization of the right kidney; Thirty-three animals were embolized with trisacryl, thirty-one with PVAc and fifteen were kept as control group, four animals were excluded (three trisacryl and one PVAc) due to early death. Five subgroups of six animals were created. The animals in the different groups were sacrificed 48 hours, 5 days, 10 days, 30 days and 90 days after embolization. The control group was divided into subgroups of three animals, for the same period of time. Their kidneys were dyed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson tricromic and examined using optic microscopy. The results showed a significant difference between the five-day and ten-day groups with regard to the degree of vascular occlusion, and the amount of necrosis in the forty-eight-hour group. Both findings favor the PVAc group, with adequate tissue reaction (ischemia and volumetric reduction) and less recanalization than with trisacryl

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder whereby the body loses its ability to maintain normal glucose levels. Despite of development of implantable glucose sensors in long periods, none of the biosensors are capable of continuously monitoring glucose levels during long-term implantation reliably. Progressive loss of sensor function occurs due in part to biofouling and to the consequences of a foreign body response such as inflammation, fibrosis, and loss of vasculature. In order to improve the function and lifetime of implantable glucose sensors, a new 3D porous and bio-stable collagen scaffold has been developed to improve the biocompatibility of implantable glucose sensors. The novel collagen scaffold was crosslinked using nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) to enhance biostability. NDGA-treated collagen scaffolds were stable without any physical deformation in the subcutaneous tissue of rats for 4 weeks. The scaffold application does not impair the function of our sensor. The effect of the scaffolds on sensor function and biocompatibility was examined during long-term in vitro and in vivo experiments and compared with control bare sensors. The sensitivity of the short sensors was greater than the sensitivity of long sensors presumably due to less micro-motions in the sub-cutis of the rats. The NDGA-crosslinked scaffolds induced much less inflammation and retained their physical structure in contrast to the glutaraldehyde (GA)-crosslinked scaffolds. We also have developed a new dexamethasone (Dex, anti-inflammatory drug)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres/porous collagen scaffold composite for implantable glucose sensors. The composite system showed a much slower and sustained drug release than the standard microspheres. The composite system was also shown to not significantly affect the function of the sensors. The sensitivity of the sensors with the composite system in vivo remained higher than for sensors without the composites (no scaffold, scaffold without microspheres). Histology showed that the inflammatory response to the Dex-loaded composite was much lower than for the control scaffold. The Dex-loaded composite system might be useful to reduce inflammation to glucose sensors and therefore extend their function and lifetime.

This research is focused on engineering submicron spherical carbon particles as effective carriers/supports for nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) particles to address the in situ remediation of soil and groundwater chlorinated contaminants. Chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) form a class of dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) toxic contaminants in soil and groundwater. The in situ injection of NZVI particles to reduce DNAPLs is a potentially simple, cost-effective, and environmentally benign technology that has become a preferred method in the remediation of these compounds. However, unsupported NZVI particles exhibit ferromagnetism leading to particle aggregation and loss in mobility through the subsurface. This work demonstrates two approaches to prepare carbon supported NZVI (iron-carbon composites) particles. The objective is to establish these iron-carbon composites as extremely useful materials for the environmental remediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons and suitable materials for the in situ injection technology. This research also demonstrates that it is possible to vary the placement of iron nanoparticles either on the external surface or within the interior of carbon microspheres using a one-step aerosol-based process. The simple process of modifying iron placement has significant potential applications in heterogeneous catalysis as both the iron and carbon are widely used catalysts and catalyst supports. Furthermore, the aerosol-based process is applied to prepare new class of supported catalytic materials such as carbon-supported palladium nanoparticles for ex situ remediation of contaminated water. The iron-carbon composites developed in this research have multiple functionalities (a) they are reactive and function effectively in reductive dehalogenation (b) they are highly adsorptive thereby bringing the chlorinated compound to the proximity of the reactive sites and also serving as adsorption materials for decontamination (c) they are of the optimal size for transport through sediments (d) they have amphiphilic chemical functionalities that help stabilize them when they reach the DNAPL target zones. Finally, the iron-carbon composite microspheres prepared through aerosol-based process can used for in situ injection technology as the process is conductive to scale-up and the materials are environmentally benign. / acase@tulane.edu

Antigen-specific CD8 T cells play a critical role in protecting the host from infection by intracellular pathogens including viruses, bacteria and parasites. During the course of an infection, antigen-specific CD8 T cells undergo proliferative expansion to increase in number, which is followed by contraction and generation of a stable pool of long-lived memory cells. Importantly, memory CD8 T cells provide enhanced resistance to re-infection by the same pathogen. Moreover, the number of memory CD8 T cells correlates strongly with the level of protection against re-infection. Therefore, vaccines designed to promote cellular immunity should logically focus on achieving sufficiently high number of these memory cells for protection. Most current vaccines have relied on inducing antibodies to protect the host by neutralizing pathogens or blocking pathogen entry into the cells. However, there is a recognized need to design vaccines that also stimulate a strong CD8 T cell component of the adaptive immune response in addition to antibodies. Importantly, inflammatory cytokines induced by infection or vaccination with adjuvant act directly or indirectly on CD8 T cells to modulate their expansion, contraction and acquisition of memory characteristics. Thus, an understanding of how inflammatory cytokines regulate CD8 T cell memory differentiation may help guide the strategies for rational vaccine design. My studies examine the roles of inflammatory cytokines in regulating CD8 T cell memory differentiation. Specifically, my studies investigate the timing of inflammatory cytokine exposure and the role of type I IFNs and IL-12 in regulating effector/memory CD8 T cell differentiation, and exploiting the cross-presentation pathway to rapidly generate protective CD8 T cell immunity. Specifically, my results indicate that (i) encounter with inflammatory cytokines during the rapid proliferative phase deflects CD8 T cell differentiation away from memory towards a sustained effector program, (ii) that direct signaling by either type I IFN or IL-12 to the responding CD8 T cells promotes maximal expansion, but neither of these cytokines is essential to regulate the effector/memory differentiation program, and (iii) cross-priming with both cell-associated antigen and antigen-coated, biodegradable microspheres, accelerates CD8 T cell memory development that can be exploited to rapidly generate protective CD8 T cell immunity.

La radiothérapie interne sélective (RTIS), en plein développement ces dernières années, constitue une alternative thérapeutique pour les cancers primaires et secondaires inopérables du foie. Le principe repose sur l’administration intra-artérielle de microsphères chargées d’yttrium-90 avec pour objectif la destruction des cellules tumorales par l’irradiation.L’activité d’yttrium-90 à administrer au patient est actuellement généralement prescrite à partir d’approches semi-empiriques ou peu personnalisées, faciles à mettre en place cliniquement. De nouveaux outils sont aujourd'hui disponibles semblables à ceux utilisés en radiothérapie externe. Leur utilisation encore peu répandue nécessite un retour d'expérience clinique pour mettre en avant leurs bénéfices et guider l'application clinique. Par ailleurs, le traitement RTIS est précédé d'une étape de simulation. Des différences inhérentes à cette procédure en deux temps (type de particules utilisées, modalité d’imagerie, modifications de flux vasculaires, etc.) existent et pourraient potentiellement conduire à des écarts dosimétriques entre la planification et le traitement. C’est dans ce contexte que s’inscrit le projet de cette thèse qui porte sur l'optimisation de la dosimétrie pour le traitement du carcinome hépatocellulaire par RTIS.Les doses délivrées au cours de 42 traitements par microsphères de résine réalisés entre 2012 et 2015 au CHU de Montpellier, ont été rétrospectivement calculées à l’échelle du voxel sur un logiciel de dosimétrie dédié (PLANET Dose, DOSIsoft, Cachan). Les doses délivrées ont été calculées pour le volume tumoral et le volume de foie sain définis anatomiquement, à partir de l’imagerie post-traitement TEP aux microsphères d’yttrium-90. Ce travail a mené à deux études complémentaires. La première analyse a consisté à confronter les données dosimétriques recueillies (doses moyennes, histogrammes dose-volume) à la réponse tumorale, la toxicité hépatique et la survie du patient. Les résultats obtenus, en accord avec ceux de la littérature, ont confirmé l’existence d’une relation dose-effet en RTIS. La deuxième étude a mis en évidence les limites du modèle BSA (body surface area pour surface corporelle) qui avait été utilisé pour planifier l’activité à administrer, à prédire la dose délivrée et par conséquent l’efficacité du traitement. L’absence de considérations dosimétriques et de prise en compte de l’hétérogénéité de distribution, de ce modèle ont notamment été discutées. Ces deux études ont ainsi souligné l'intérêt de planifier l'activité d'yttrium-90 à administrer en se basant sur des données dosimétriques individualisées.Une troisième étude a été conduite sur une population de 23 patients atteints de CHC, traités par microsphères de verre traités entre 2015 et 2018 au CHU de Montpellier. L’objectif a été de comparer les dosimétries prédictives et post-traitement calculées à l’échelle du voxel. Les résultats cliniques obtenus ont été appuyés par des expérimentations sur fantômes physiques (simple et anthropomorphique). Une bonne corrélation a été montrée, mettant en avant la valeur prédictive de la dosimétrie de planification. En revanche, un écart significatif a été observé et semble lié en partie à la quantification de l’imagerie TEP à l’yttrium-90. De plus, il a été montré que le geste radiologique peut influencer la distribution de particules et donc de dose, d’où la nécessité d’une reproductibilité aussi parfaite que possible entre les deux étapes. / Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is a growing therapeutic alternative for unresectable primary and secondary liver cancer. The principle is based on the intra-arterial administration of yttrium-90 loaded microspheres for tumor cell destruction through irradiation.Yttrium-90 activity to be administered to the patient is, at the moment, usually prescribed using semi-empirical or barely personalized approaches that can be easily clinically implemented. New tools, similar to the ones used in external beam radiotherapy, are available today. These tools, which are not yet widely spread, require clinical feedback to show their benefits and guide the clinical application. Besides, a simulation stage is always performed before SIRT treatment itself. This two-step procedure implies differences (in terms of particles used, imaging modality, vascular flow modifications, etc.) that could potentially lead to dose deviations between planning and treatment. The thesis project comes within this scope, dealing with dosimetry optimization for hepatocellular carcinoma SIRT.Delivered doses during 42 treatment procedures performed between 2012 and 2015 at Montpellier University Hospital, were retrospectively calculated at the voxel level using a dosimetry dedicated software (PLANET Dose, DOSIsoft, Cachan). Two complementary studies were carried out from this work. The first one analyzed dose data (average dose, dose volume histograms) versus patient follow-up including tumor response, liver toxicity and patient survival. The results obtained are consistent with the other teams, confirming the dose-effect relationship in SIRT. The second study highlighted the limitations of the BSA (body surface area) model that was used for activity planning. In particular, the limitations of this model to predict delivered dose and consequently treatment efficiency were quantitatively demonstrated. The lack of dosimetry and heterogeneity distribution considerations were also discussed. These two studies emphasized the interest for yttrium-90 activity planning based on individualized dose data.A third study was conducted on a population of 23 patients treated between 2015 and 2018 at Montpellier University Hospital. The aim was to compare predictive and post-treatment dosimetry calculated at the voxel level. The clinical results were supported by phantom (simple and anthropomorphic) experimentations. A good correlation was observed highlighting the predictive value of dosimetry planning. However, a significant deviation was noticed and seems to be partly related to yttrium-90 TEP quantification. In addition, it was also noted that the radiological gesture can affect particle distribution and consequently dose distribution, this is why reproducibility as perfect as possible is required between the two stages.

New methods of biological analyte sensing are needed for development of miniature biosensors that are highly sensitive and require minimal sample preparation. One novel technique employs optical resonances known as Whispering Gallery Modes (WGMs). These modes arise from total internal reflection of light at the internal surface of a high index microsphere within a low index medium and produce an evanescent field that extends into the surrounding medium. The WGMs produce multiple narrow spectral peaks that shift position with variations in the local index of refraction sampled by the evanescent tail of the WGMs. To excite these WGMs, we embed quantum dots (QDs) in the periphery of polystyrene microspheres to serve as local light sources. By coupling emission from the QDs to the WGMs, the sensors can be excited and interrogated remotely and, by monitoring the shift of multiple resonance modes, may provide higher sensitivity and accuracy compared with similar techniques. The high refractometric sensitivity of the WGMs offers potential for trace detection of molecules adsorbed onto or bound to the microsphere sensor elements. The sensitivity of these sensors is demonstrated by monitoring the wavelength shift of multiple resonant modes as bulk index of refraction is changed. The potential for targeted biosensing is explored through addition of a protein that adsorbs to the microsphere surface, thrombin. Microsensor response in all cases demonstrated increased sensitivity over theoretical predictions. Models based on Mie theory and continuity of the radial functions across the sphere-media interface were used to model the location, Q-factor, and sensitivity of the WGMs in microspheres by considering the embedded QDs as a high index outer layer. This model was used, along with estimates of the QD-layer index and penetration depth, to relate the locations and sensitivities of the modes to our experimental results with strong agreement between the two. In all, these microspheres demonstrate feasibility for use as remote microsensors with sensitivities rivaling current techniques.

This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of metal-encoded polystyrene microspheres with a narrow size distribution designed for mass cytometry-based immuno- and oligonucleotide-assays. These particles were prepared by multiple stage dispersion polymerization techniques using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a steric stabilizer. As a cytometeric technique, mass cytometry necessitated metal-encoded microspheres to perform the same roles of fluorescent microspheres used in conventional flow cytometry. The first role of the microsphere was to be able to act as a platform (classifier microspheres) for bioassays. Secondly, the microspheres should be suitable for mass cytometry machine calibration as standards. To perform these roles, metal-encoded microspheres were required to have certain size, functionality and metal content criteria. Lanthanide elements were chosen as the metals for encoding the microspheres for their low natural abundance in biological systems and for their similar chemistry. My goal was to employ two-stage dispersion polymerization, of styrene in ethanol, to introduce the lanthanide salts along with excess acrylic acid in the second stage, one hour after the initiation. Acrylic acid deemed to serve as a ligand for the lanthanide ions, through its carbonyl group, so the lanthanide ions get incorporated into the microsphere while acrylic acid is copolymerizing with styrene. Using two-stage dispersion polymerization, I could synthesize lanthanide encoded microspheres with narrow size distribution and high lanthanide content. However the lanthanide content distributions were unexpectedly much broader than the size distribution obtained. In addition, I could not attach biomolecules to the surface of such particles. In an attempt to improve the characteristics of these microspheres, I employed modified versions of multiple stage dispersion polymerization and seeded emulsion polymerization to grow functional polymer shell on the surface of the particles prepared by dispersion polymerization. Moreover, I coated the lanthanide encoded microspheres with silica shell which enabled me to grow another layer of functional-silica. Consequently, I could use these particles as classifier microspheres for mass cytometry-based immunoassays as well as fluorescence-based oligonucleotide-assays.

Co-delivery of the embedded growth factor-loaded microspheres and adult stem cells in a hydrogel matrix was studied for its potential as a cell-based therapeutic strategy for cartilage regeneration in partial thickness chondral defects. A photopolymerizable N-methacrylate glycol chitosan (MGC) was employed to form an in situ gel that was embedded with two formulations of growth factor-loaded microspheres and human adipose-derived stem cells (ASC). The polymeric microspheres were used as a delivery vehicle for the controlled release of growth factors to stimulate differentiation of the ASC towards the chondrocyte lineage. The microspheres were made of amphiphilic low molecular weight (Mn < 10,000 Da) poly(1,3-trimethylene carbonate-co--caprolactone)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(1,3-trimethylene carbonate-co--caprolactone) (P(TMC-CL)2-PEG)). This triblock copolymer is solid below 100C, but liquid with a low degree of crystallinity at physiological temperature and degrades slowly, and so acidic degradation products do not accumulate locally. Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) and transforming growth factor-3 (TGF-3) were delivered at 5 ng/day with initial bursts of 14.3 and 23.6%, respectively. Both growth factors were highly bioactive when released, retaining greater than 95% bioactivity for 33 days as measured by cell-based assays. To improve ASC viability within the MGC vehicle, an RGD-containing ligand was grafted to the MGC backbone. Prior to chondrogenic induction within the MGC gel, ASC viability was assessed and greater than 90% of ASC were viable in the gel grafted with cell-adhesive RGD peptides as compared to that in non-RGD grafted gels. For ASC chondrogenesis induced by the sustained release of BMP-6 and TGF-3 in MGC gels, the ASC cellularity and glycosaminosglycan production were similar for 28 days. The ratio of collagen type II to I per cell (normalized to deoxyribonucleic acid content) in the microsphere delivery group was significantly higher than that of non-induced ASC or with soluble growth factor administration in the culture media, and increased with time. Thus, the co-delivery of growth factor-loaded microspheres and ASC in MGC gels successfully induced ASC chondrogenesis and is a promising strategy for cartilage repair. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-06-07 19:32:50.94