A method was developed to produce and incorporate a network of discrete, genipin-crosslinked
gelatin microfibers around a pancreatic islet within a barium alginate microcapsule. This
technique allows for the encapsulation of a porous fibrous matrix without the geometrical
restrictions required for cellular aggregate seeding. Microfibers were produced from a novel
vortex-drawn extrusion system with an alginate support matrix. Optimization culminated in a
hydrated fiber diameter of 22.3 ± 0.4 μm, a 98% reduction in cross sectional area, while making
the process more reliable and less labour intensive. The optimized microfibers were encapsulated
at 40 vol% within 294 ± 4 μm 1.6% barium alginate microparticles by an electrostatic-mediated
dropwise extrusion system. Pancreatic islets extracted from Sprague Dawley rats were
encapsulated within the microparticles, and analyzed over a 21-day preliminary in vitro study.
Acridine orange and propidium iodide fluorescent viability staining and light microscopy
indicated a significant increase in viability for the fiber-laden particles relative to fiber-free
control particles at days 7, 14, and 21. The fiber-laden system also reduced the incidence of
disrupted islet cohesion from 31% to 8% at day 21, and showed evidence of islet-fiber adhesion.
Preliminary investigations into insulin secretion and metabolic activity showed no significant
difference between test and control groups. Further investigation into benefits of islet
encapsulation within an extracellular matrix fiber network will be the subject of future studies
with this body of work serving as a foundation.
The system developed in this investigation could be developed into a modular scaffold system for
tissue engineering beyond the field of islet research. / Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-08-18 15:05:50.917
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OKQ.1974/6667 |
| Date | 24 August 2011 |
| Creators | STEELE, JOSEPH ALLAN MCKINNON |
| Contributors | Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.). Theses (Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.)) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner. |
| Relation | Canadian theses |
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