Multilayer Alginate Microcapsules For Live Cell Microencapsulation; Is There Any Preference For Selecting Cationic Polymers?

Document Type : Review Paper

Authors

1 Food Safety Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

4 Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Since 1980 after introducing the concept of live cell encapsulation by Lim et al., this technology has received enormous attention. Several studies have been conducted to improve this technique; different polymers, either natural or synthetic, have been used as microcapsules` making materials and different substances as coating layers. Literature review leads us to the conclusion that alginate (Alg) multilayer microcapsules and, in particular, alginate-poly l-lysine (PLL)-alginate (APA) are the most used structures for live cell encapsulation. Although, disadvantages of PLL (e.g., weak mechanical strength and low biocompatibility) made researchers work on other cationic polymers to find an alternative. This review aims to discuss more popularly suggested cationic polymers such as poly l-ornithine (PLO), chitosan, etc. As alternatives for PLL and, more importantly, we want to take a closer look to see which one of these systems are closer to clinical applications.

Graphical Abstract

Multilayer Alginate Microcapsules For Live Cell Microencapsulation; Is There Any Preference For Selecting Cationic Polymers?

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Volume 20, Issue 2
Spring 2021
Pages 173-182

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