Characterization of manganese-based alginate hydrogels

Intrathecal transplantation of stem cells is one of the most attractive routes of delivery for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However several obstacles remain, such as the compact structure of spinal cord or the disruptive forces that negatively influence cell survival. Hydrogels have been involved in many biomedical applications, among them, as a delivery route for encapsulated cells. Alginate hydrogels are copolymers that can be obtained by ionic cross-linking with cations - LVM (Lee & Mooney, 2012). Thus, LVM can be used as scaffolds for cell delivery and exhibit important features, namely biocompatibility and biodegradation. Mn²⁺ despite lower affinity to alginate may also be used as cross-linking agent as they can be applied as contrast agent in T1-weighted MRI imaging (Mørch et al., 2012). Physical properties are of great importance as they have impact on fate of encapsulated cells. Therefore, the aim of the project is to investigate physical properties of LVM sodium alginate and calcium alginate (<45µm) hydrogels combined with compact manganese alginate particles. Rheological analysis and evaluation of hydrogels’ stability and swelling will be performed. Manganese content and its release will be assessed as well as evaluation of hydrogels permeability. In order to assess the hydrogels’ angiogenic response, the CAM assay will be performed. Afterwards, in vitro studies using human adipose-derived stem cells will be carried in order to evaluate the viability of encapsulated cells.