Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which exert regulatory effects on various immune cells, have been a promising
therapy for
inflammatory bowel disease treatment. However, their
therapeutic effects are limited by lack of nutritional supply, immune system attack, and low accumulation on the target site. Here, inspired by the natural incubation mechanism of roe, we present immune-isolating, wet-adhesive, and nutrient-rich
microcapsules for therapeutic MSCs encapsulation. The adhesive shells were fabricated by ionic cross-linking of
alginate and visible curing of epsilon-poly-
L-lysine-graft-
methacrylamide and
dopamine methacrylamide, which encapsulated the liquid core of the MSCs and roe
proteins. Due to the core-shell construction of the resultant
microcapsules, the MSCs might escape from attack of the immune system while still maintaining immunomodulating functions. In addition, the roe
proteins encapsulated in the core phase offered sufficient nutrient supply for MSCs' survival and proliferation. Furthermore, after intraperitoneal
transplantation, the wet-adhesive radicals on the shell surface could immobilize the MSCs-encapsulating
microcapsules onto the bowel. Based on these features, practical values of the roe-inspired
microcapsules with MSCs encapsulation were demonstrated by applying them to treat
dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced
colitis through increasing residence time, regulating immune imbalance, and relieving
disease progression. We believe that the proposed roe-inspired
microcapsules with MSCs encapsulation are potential for clinical application.