Papers by Keyword: Cell Therapy

Abstract: This contribution gathers various examples illustrating the fact that nanocrystalline apatites represent a genuine multi-functionalizable platform for a wide range of biomedical applications. It is indeed possible to convey additional functionalities to the already appealing properties of biomimetic apatites, via appropriate ionic substitutions and/or through controlled molecular adsorptions. In link with bone regeneration, we depict here examples of enhanced osteoconduction/induction and of the addition of antibacterial features to bone implants. But we also point out the promise of apatite-based colloidal nanoparticles in other domains not related to bone, such as nanomedicine (cell diagnosis/therapy), which we address by conferring luminescence properties and by adding cell recognition abilities.

Abstract: Intrathecal implants of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells relieve chronic pain by secreting catecholamines, opioids and other neuroactive substances. Recently, macrocapsules with hollow fibers were employed to isolate immunologically xenogeneic chromaffin cells, but the poor viability in vivo of the encapsulated chromaffin cells limited the usefulness of this method. In this study, we used microencapsulation technology to increase the viability of chromaffin cells. Bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were microencapsulated with alginate and poly-L-lysine and implanted intrathecally in a rat using the neuropathic pain model. Intrathecal implants of microencapsulated cells relieved cold allodynia, which is the most prominent symptom of the neuropathic pain model in a rat. Furthermore, the microencapsulated chromaffin cells were morphologically normal and retained their functionality. These findings suggest that the intrathecal implant of microencapsulated chromaffin cells might be a useful method for treating chronic pain.