A novel vitrified cryopreservation approach with stem cell-laden hydrogel microcapsules.

Background: Stem cell-laden hydrogel microcapsules construction is important for a wide application in tissue engineering and cell-based medicine, such as building an ideal immune barrier. Challenges are emerging for effectively storing such microcapsules by cryopreservation, and a large proportion of research has been on the cryopreservation of single cells encapsulated into microcapsules without a core-shell structure.

Objective: To achieve the effective cryopreservation of stem cell-laden hydrogel microcapsules with a core-shell structure.

Materials and methods: A novel core-shell alginate hydrogel encapsulation method was used to produce mesenchymal stem cell-laden microcapsules by microfluidic technique.

Results: This microcapsule could inhibit ice formation to achieve vitreous cryopreservation with a low concentration (2 M) of penetrating cryoprotectants.

Conclusion: Cell laden hydrogel microcapsules may have the potential to be the basis of a new strategy of cell cryopreservation and applications. https://doi.org/10.54680/fr24210110212.