COMPLEX COACERVATE MICROCAPSULES FOR MAMMALIAN-CELL CULTURE AND ARTIFICIAL ORGAN DEVELOPMENT

A number of combinations of anionic and cationic polymers, the majorit y being polysaccharides, were screened to determine their suitability for the development of alternative microcapsule formulations capable o f supporting cells. The capsules were taken through a limited optimiza tion and then evaluated on the bases of rupture strength, permeability to albumin, and ability of their components to promote the attachment , aggregation, and function of encapsulated rabbit hepatocytes. The wi dely used alginate-polylysine capsules were employed as a comparative standard in all tests. A number of the new formulations compared favor ably with the standard, and some exhibited superior performance in spe cific areas. Hepatocyte function, as evaluated by the rate of urea syn thesis, showed no significant differences between formulations over a 24-h test period. One formulation, composed of the polysaccharides (ca rboxymethyl) cellulose, chondroitin sulfate A, chitosan, and polygalac turonate, was found to be superior to alginate-polylysine capsules in the areas investigated and supported the long-term survival and growth of liver endothelial cells.