Elastin-like polypeptides: the power of design for smart cell encapsulation

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cell encapsulation technology is still a challenging issue. Innovative methodologies such as additive manufacturing, and alternative bioprocesses, such as cell therapeutic delivery, where cell encapsulation is a key tool are rapidly gaining importance for their potential in regenerative medicine. Responsive materials such as elastin-based recombinant expression products have features that are particularly attractive for cell encapsulation. They can be designed and tailored to meet desired requirements. Thus, they represent promising candidates for the development of new concept-based materials that can be employed in this field.

Areas covered: An overview of the design and employment of elastin-like polypeptides for cell encapsulation is given to outline the state of the art. Special attention is paid to the design of the macromolecule employed as well as to the method of matrix formation and the biological system involved.

Expert opinion: As a result of recent progress in regenerative medicine there is a compelling need for materials that provide specific properties and demonstrate defined functional features. Rationally designed materials that may adapt according to applied external stimuli and that are responsive to biological systems, such as elastin-like polypeptides, belong to this class of smart material. A run through the components described to date represents a good starting point for further advancement in this area. Employment of these components in cell encapsulation application will promote its advance toward ‘smart cell encapsulation technology’.

KEYWORDS:

• Elastin-like polypeptides
• cell encapsulation
• smart materials
• molecular design

Article highlights

• Cell encapsulation is a well-known technology that is used in many biomedical and industrial applications; however, recent advances in regenerative medicine, in particular in cell-based therapies and in organ culture, have renewed attention on this methodology.

• The cell embedding process, involving the handling of cellular systems, has to meet highly demanding technical requirements. Increasingly complex materials with optimized characteristics are key to a successful result.

• Elastin-like polypeptides are biomimetic recombinant expression products with stimuli-responsive behaviour derived from an abundant component of the tissue extracellular matrix. They are designed to be flexible and can be customized to better adapt to specific needs.

• Survey of the elastin-like polypeptides that have been designed and employed up to now for cell encapsulation, focusing attention on their primary structure and architecture.

• Innovative materials that can be tailored by rational design may acquire new features that will have a significant impact on the process in which they take part.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Acknowledgments

The author thanks colleagues Prof. Sabina Passamonti and Prof. Paola D’Andrea for encouragement.

Declaration of interest

The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Editorial assistance from Proof-Reading-Service.com was utilized in the preparation of this manuscript and funded by Trans2Care strategic project and University of Trieste Beneficentia Stiftung.

Additional information

Funding

Support was from European Regional Development Fund (CB 101) (Cross-border cooperation Program Italy-Slovenia 2007-2013, Trans2care strategic project), Trieste and Beneficentia Stiftung, Vaduz, Liechtenstein (BEN 2014/125).