AVS 63rd International Symposium & Exhibition
    Biomaterial Interfaces Tuesday Sessions
       Session BI+PB-TuP

Paper BI+PB-TuP3
Evaluation of Printed Cell Viability, Proliferation, and Insulin Production on Various Alginate-Gelatin Hydrogels

Tuesday, November 8, 2016, 6:30 pm, Room Hall D

Session: Biomaterial Interfaces Poster Session (preceded by Oral Flash Presentations)
Presenter: Luis Solis, University of Texas at El Paso
Authors: L. Solis, University of Texas at El Paso
J. Rincon, University of Texas at El Paso
A. Varela-Ramirez, University of Texas at El Paso
R. Aguilera, University of Texas at El Paso
T. Boland, University of Texas at El Paso
Correspondent: Click to Email
Over the past couple of decades, encapsulation of islets or beta cells has emerged as the new modality for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). A major setback in bioengineering encapsulated cells however, is the formation of fibrosis from immunologic defenses rendering the cells ineffective. This study proposes the use of an inkjet bioprinter to allow arrangement of βTC-6 mouse pancreatic beta cells and improve vascular ingrowth among alginate hydrogels. In addition, different concentrations of gelatin were tested in order to determine printable alginate-gelatin ratios for optimal vascular ingrowth, proliferation, viability, and insulin production of cells. Cell proliferation cultures were monitored daily for a total duration of 14 days. Cell viability and glucose stimulated insulin production were assessed at day 14. In-vitro alginate-gelatin hydrogels promoted proliferation of spherical insulinoma clusters and increased insulin secretion as compared to the monolayer of cells without hydrogels. These findings demonstrate that the alginate-gelatin hydrogels support the proliferation, viability, and insulin production of βTC-6 cells. These results will also allow to formulate improved bioinks for automated cell encapsulation applications.