Transplantation of Xenogeneic Cells Secreting β-Endorphin for Pain Treatment: Analysis of the Ability of Components of Complement to Penetrate through Polymer Capsules

Abstract

The permeation of components of complement and secreted peptides through polymer capsules (PM30, K6305, and K5708) were examined. To analyze permeability by complement, the degree of hemolysis of sensitized sheep erythrocytes (EA) (1 × 10 9 /ml) enclosed in each type of capsule was examined after 24-h incubation in culture medium containing 10% human serum. PM30 and K6305 prevented the permeation of complement well, while K5708 did not. EA suspended in alginate prevented hemolysis even in K5708. Peptide permeation through the capsules was assessed by measuring the concentration of ACTH secreted by proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-gene-transfected-Neuro2A in the culture medium on days 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after encapsulation. The ACTH levels in the culture medium remained high until day 28. Alginate appeared to prevent the secretion, because ACTH levels decreased in alginate-suspended cells after day 14. The PM30-K6305 double capsules containing cell lines, Neuro2A, BHK21 (hamster fibroblasts), L929 (mouse fibroblasts), and HF-SKFII (human fibroblasts) were transplanted into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space of the monkeys in the lumber region. The morphological examination showed the partial survival of Neuro2A, and BHK21 and HF-SKFII, which were cells concordant with the monkeys. On the other hand, L929 cells, which were discordant with the monkeys, could not survive at all. Because these results suggest that the complement components penetrate the polymer capsules, concordant cells are preferable for xenografting with polymer capsules into the CSF space.