Human Ovarian Follicles Xenografted in Immunoisolating Capsules Survive Long Term Implantation in Mice

Margaret A. Brunette; Hadrian M. Kinnear; Hadrian M. Kinnear; Prianka H. Hashim; Colleen L. Flanagan; James R. Day; Marilia Cascalho; Marilia Cascalho; Vasantha Padmanabhan; Vasantha Padmanabhan; Ariella Shikanov; Ariella Shikanov; Ariella Shikanov

doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.886678

Frontiers in Endocrinology (Jun 2022)

Human Ovarian Follicles Xenografted in Immunoisolating Capsules Survive Long Term Implantation in Mice

Margaret A. Brunette,
Hadrian M. Kinnear,
Hadrian M. Kinnear,
Prianka H. Hashim,
Colleen L. Flanagan,
James R. Day,
Marilia Cascalho,
Marilia Cascalho,
Vasantha Padmanabhan,
Vasantha Padmanabhan,
Ariella Shikanov,
Ariella Shikanov,
Ariella Shikanov

Affiliations

Margaret A. Brunette: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Hadrian M. Kinnear: Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Hadrian M. Kinnear: Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Prianka H. Hashim: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Colleen L. Flanagan: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
James R. Day: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Marilia Cascalho: Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Marilia Cascalho: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Vasantha Padmanabhan: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Vasantha Padmanabhan: Department of Pediatrics & Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Ariella Shikanov: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Ariella Shikanov: Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Ariella Shikanov: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.886678
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13

Abstract

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Female pediatric cancer survivors often develop Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) owing to gonadotoxic effects of anticancer treatments. Here we investigate the use of a cell-based therapy consisting of human ovarian cortex encapsulated in a poly-ethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel that replicates the physiological cyclic and pulsatile hormonal patterns of healthy reproductive-aged women. Human ovarian tissue from four donors was analyzed for follicle density, with averages ranging between 360 and 4414 follicles/mm3. Follicles in the encapsulated and implanted cryopreserved human ovarian tissues survived up to three months, with average follicle densities ranging between 2 and 89 follicles/mm3 at retrieval. We conclude that encapsulation of human ovarian cortex in PEG-based hydrogels did not decrease follicle survival after implantation in mice and was similar to non-encapsulated grafts. Furthermore, this approach offers the means to replace the endocrine function of the ovary tissue in patients with POI.

Published in Frontiers in Endocrinology

ISSN: 1664-2392 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Diseases of the endocrine glands. Clinical endocrinology
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology

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