Introduction: Cell encapsulation within hydrogels holds promise for diverse biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. The selection of hydrogel material significantly impacts cell viability and function. This study compares the viability of human kidney epithelial cells (HK-2) encapsulated in two hydrogel types: sodium alginate (NaAlg) and chitosan (CS).
Methods: HK-2 cells were encapsulated in NaAlg and CS hydrogels following established protocols. Cell viability was monitored over 7 days using Live/Dead staining assay. Confocal microscopy was utilized for morphological analysis to assess cell distribution and interactions with the hydrogel matrices.
Results: The study revealed significantly higher viability of HK-2 cells when encapsulated in CS hydrogels compared to NaAlg hydrogels. Live/Dead staining indicated a higher percentage of live cells in the CS group, reflecting enhanced metabolic activity. Confocal microscopy images depicted maintenance of epithelial morphology among HK-2 cells, with a more uniform distribution throughout the CS hydrogel matrix, suggesting improved cell-hydrogel interactions.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the potential of CS hydrogels as a superior scaffold for HK-2 cell encapsulation, with implications for kidney tissue engineering strategies and applications necessitating sustained renal cell function. Future research should delve into the mechanisms driving enhanced viability and optimize CS hydrogel composition for specific biomedical uses.