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Polymers
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Advances in Polymer Devices for Cell Transplantation
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Advances in Polymer Devices for Cell Transplantation

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2023) | Viewed by 8602

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alexandra M. Smink

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
Interests: biopolymer; type 1 diabetes; islet transplantation; subcutaneous scaffolds; extracellular matrix; vascularization
Dr. Tom Kamperman

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Developmental BioEngineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522NB Enschede, The Netherlands IamFluidics B.V., High Tech Factory, De Veldmaat 17, 7522NM Enschede, The Netherlands
Interests: microencapsulation; microfluidics; hydrogels; stem cells; tissue engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The human body does not always provide an adequate transplantation site for cells or tissues. In cases like this, polymer scaffolds can be used to develop an artificial transplantation site that contains an optimal microenvironment. For successful cell transplantation to take place, these polymer devices need to meet several requirements, for example, a high degree of functional blood vessels for oxygen and nutrient supply, the presence of extracellular matrix molecules to guarantee optimal functioning, and innervation to enable communication. However, protection against immune rejection should also be addressed when engineering such a polymer transplantation site.

In recent years, research has been focused towards modulating and improving the characteristics of polymer devices to meet these requirements. For example, by using different (polymer) materials or various engineering approaches (functionalization of polymers, geometry, etc.) This Special Issue is oriented towards all novel approaches and materials that aim to improve cell transplantation outcomes.

Considering your prominent contribution in this interesting research area, I would like to cordially invite you to submit an article to this Special Issue. This Special Issue will publish full research papers, communications, and review articles. Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere. All manuscripts are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for the submission of manuscripts are available on the journal’s website.

Dr. Alexandra M. Smink
Dr. Tom Kamperman
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymer scaffolds
  • transplantation
  • hydrogels
  • tissue engineering
  • cell-material interactions
  • biomedical materials
  • extracellular matrix
  • vascularization
  • innervation
  • immune protection
  • microencapsulation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3777 KiB  
Article
Bioabsorption of Subcutaneous Nanofibrous Scaffolds Influences the Engraftment and Function of Neonatal Porcine Islets
by Purushothaman Kuppan, Sandra Kelly, Karen Seeberger, Chelsea Castro, Mandy Rosko, Andrew R. Pepper and Gregory S. Korbutt
Polymers 2022, 14(6), 1120; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14061120 - 11 Mar 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2652
Abstract
The subcutaneous space is currently being pursued as an alternative transplant site for ß-cell replacement therapies due to its retrievability, minimally invasive procedure and potential for graft imaging. However, implantation of ß-cells into an unmodified subcutaneous niche fails to reverse diabetes due to [...] Read more.
The subcutaneous space is currently being pursued as an alternative transplant site for ß-cell replacement therapies due to its retrievability, minimally invasive procedure and potential for graft imaging. However, implantation of ß-cells into an unmodified subcutaneous niche fails to reverse diabetes due to a lack of adequate blood supply. Herein, poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers were used to make scaffolds and were functionalized with peptides (RGD (Arginine-glycine-aspartate), VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor), laminin) or gelatin to augment engraftment. PCL, PCL + RGD + VEGF (PCL + R + V), PCL + RGD + Laminin (PCL + R + L), PLGA and PLGA + Gelatin (PLGA + G) scaffolds were implanted into the subcutaneous space of immunodeficient Rag mice. After four weeks, neonatal porcine islets (NPIs) were transplanted within the lumen of the scaffolds or under the kidney capsule (KC). Graft function was evaluated by blood glucose, serum porcine insulin, glucose tolerance tests, graft cellular insulin content and histologically. PLGA and PLGA + G scaffold recipients achieved significantly superior euglycemia rates (86% and 100%, respectively) compared to PCL scaffold recipients (0% euglycemic) (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, respectively). PLGA scaffolds exhibited superior glucose tolerance (* p < 0.05) and serum porcine insulin secretion (* p < 0.05) compared to PCL scaffolds. Functionalized PLGA + G scaffold recipients exhibited higher total cellular insulin contents compared to PLGA-only recipients (* p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that the bioabsorption of PLGA-based fibrous scaffolds is a key factor that facilitates the function of NPIs transplanted subcutaneously in diabetic mice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Devices for Cell Transplantation)
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Review

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16 pages, 2265 KiB  
Review
Mechanisms of Foreign Body Giant Cell Formation in Response to Implantable Biomaterials
by Farshid Eslami-Kaliji, Niloufar Hedayat Nia, Jonathan R. T. Lakey, Alexandra M. Smink and Mohammadreza Mohammadi
Polymers 2023, 15(5), 1313; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15051313 - 6 Mar 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 8775
Abstract
Long term function of implantable biomaterials are determined by their integration with the host’s body. Immune reactions against these implants could impair the function and integration of the implants. Some biomaterial-based implants lead to macrophage fusion and the formation of multinucleated giant cells, [...] Read more.
Long term function of implantable biomaterials are determined by their integration with the host’s body. Immune reactions against these implants could impair the function and integration of the implants. Some biomaterial-based implants lead to macrophage fusion and the formation of multinucleated giant cells, also known as foreign body giant cells (FBGCs). FBGCs may compromise the biomaterial performance and may lead to implant rejection and adverse events in some cases. Despite their critical role in response to implants, there is a limited understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in forming FBGCs. Here, we focused on better understanding the steps and mechanisms triggering macrophage fusion and FBGCs formation, specifically in response to biomaterials. These steps included macrophage adhesion to the biomaterial surface, fusion competency, mechanosensing and mechanotransduction-mediated migration, and the final fusion. We also described some of the key biomarkers and biomolecules involved in these steps. Understanding these steps on a molecular level would lead to enhance biomaterials design and improve their function in the context of cell transplantation, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Devices for Cell Transplantation)
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35 pages, 2910 KiB  
Review
Polymeric Coatings and Antimicrobial Peptides as Efficient Systems for Treating Implantable Medical Devices Associated-Infections
by Irina Negut, Bogdan Bita and Andreea Groza
Polymers 2022, 14(8), 1611; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14081611 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5667
Abstract
Many infections are associated with the use of implantable medical devices. The excessive utilization of antibiotic treatment has resulted in the development of antimicrobial resistance. Consequently, scientists have recently focused on conceiving new ways for treating infections with a longer duration of action [...] Read more.
Many infections are associated with the use of implantable medical devices. The excessive utilization of antibiotic treatment has resulted in the development of antimicrobial resistance. Consequently, scientists have recently focused on conceiving new ways for treating infections with a longer duration of action and minimum environmental toxicity. One approach in infection control is based on the development of antimicrobial coatings based on polymers and antimicrobial peptides, also termed as “natural antibiotics”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Devices for Cell Transplantation)
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