A 3D Printed Self-Sustainable Cell-Encapsulation Drug Delivery Device for Periocular Transplant-Based Treatment of Retinal Degenerative Diseases

• Main Authors: Hideto Kojima, Bibek Raut, Li-Jiun Chen, Nobuhiro Nagai, Toshiaki Abe, Hirokazu Kaji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-04-01
• Series: Micromachines
• Subjects: retinal degenerative disease; cell-encapsulation device; periocular implant; growth factors; brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); cell sheet engineering
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/11/4/436
• ISSN: 2072-666X

Self-sustainable release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to the retina using minimally invasive cell-encapsulation devices is a promising approach to treat retinal degenerative diseases (RDD). Herein, we describe such a self-sustainable drug delivery device with human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells (cultured on collagen coated polystyrene (PS) sheets) enclosed inside a 3D printed semi-porous capsule. The capsule was 3D printed with two photo curable polymers: triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDM) and polyethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (PEGDM). The capsule’s semi-porous membrane (PEGDM) could serve three functions: protecting the cells from body’s immune system by limiting diffusion (5.97 ± 0.11%) of large molecules like immunoglobin G (IgG)(150 kDa); helping the cells to survive inside the capsule by allowing diffusion (43.20 ± 2.16%) of small molecules (40 kDa) like oxygen and necessary nutrients; and helping in the treatment of RDD by allowing diffusion of cell-secreted BDNF to the outside environment. In vitro results showed a continuous BDNF secretion from the device for at least 16 days, demonstrating future potential of the cell-encapsulation device for the treatment of RDD in a minimally invasive and self-sustainable way through a periocular transplant.