| Abstract |
Tissue engineering at single‐cell resolution has enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Droplet microfluidics offers a powerful platform that allows deterministic single‐cell encapsulation into aqueous droplets, yet the direct encapsulation of cells into microgels remains challenging. Here, the design of a microfluidic device that is capable of single‐cell encapsulation within polyethylene glycol norbornene (PEGNB) hydrogels on‐chip is reported. Cells are first ordered in media within a straight microchannel via inertial focusing, followed by the introduction of PEGNB solution from two separate, converging channels. Droplets are thoroughly mixed by passage through a serpentine channel, and microgels are formed by photo‐photopolymerization. This platform uniquely enables both single‐cell encapsulation and excellent cell viability post‐photo‐polymerization. More than 90% of singly encapsulated mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) remain alive for 7 days. Notably, singly encapsulated MSCs have elevated expression levels in genes that code anti‐inflammatory cytokines, for example, IL‐10 and TGF‐β, thus enhancing the secretion of proteins of interest. Following injection into a mouse model with induced inflammation, singly encapsulated MSCs show a strong retention rate in vivo, reduce overall inflammation, and mitigate liver damage. These translational results indicate that deterministic single‐cell encapsulation could find use in a broad spectrum of tissue engineering applications. |
| Authors |
Hansen Si  , Yuanzhuo Chen , Kun Jiang , Kui Ma , Edward D. Ramsey , John Oakey  , Mingming Sun , Zhongliang Jiang
|
| Journal Info |
Wiley-Blackwell | Advanced Healthcare Materials
|
| Publication Date |
2/23/2024 |
| ISSN |
2192-2640 |
Type |
article |
| Open Access |
closed
|
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202304386 |
| Keywords |
Single-Cell Analysis (Score: 0.581121) , Microfluidics (Score: 0.526417) , Microfluidic Devices (Score: 0.519309) , Cell Sorting (Score: 0.501797)
|
