Materials for cell encapsulation via a new tandem approach combining reverse thermal gelation and covalent crosslinking

Abstract

The contemporary occurrence of a thermal gelation (by the occurrence of a lower critical solubility temperature, LCST) and of a chemical curing has allowed to use biocompatible polyethers (PEG, Pluronic) for mimicking sodium alginate gelation and perspectively substituting it for encapsulation purposes. The final materials were easily formed in cell culture media and perfectly passed a preliminary biocompatibility assessment. Additionally, they showed a stimuli responsive behavior, e.g. in the modulation of their swelling degree with temperature (preserving the LCST character of the precursors) and solvent composition. Gel bead obtained via tandem gelation of Pluronic derivatives, for the perspective substitution of calcium alignate.