Liquified Capsules Encapsulating Microparticles to Provide Cell Adhesion Sites Enhance Cellular Functions

In bioencapsulation, the dense network of hydrogels compared to the liquified environment of capsules jeopardizes the diffusion of essential molecules for cell survival.However, most cells cannot grow in suspension and need to adhere to a solid structure. Encapsulated in the liquified environment of capsules and deprived of a physical support, anchorage-dependent cells are not able to adhere and proliferate. To address this dichotomy we propose the development of a completely new concept of liquified capsules featuring (i) an external shell by layer-by-layer assembly of poly(L-lysine) (PLL), alginate (ALG) and chitosan (CHT), and encapsulating (ii) poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) microparticles. We hypothesize that, while the liquified environment enhances the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, metabolites and waste products, microparticles dispersed in the liquified core of capsules provide the physical support required for cellular functions.