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Abstract
In recent years, the use of transplanted living cells pumping out active factors directly
at the site has proven to be an emergent technology. However a recurring impediment
to rapid development in the field is the immune rejection of transplanted allo- or
xenogeneic cells. Immunosuppression is used clinically to prevent rejection of organ
and cell transplants in humans, but prolonged usage can make the recipient vulnerable
to infections, and increase the likelihood of tumorigenesis of the transplanted cells.
Cell microencapsulation is a promising tool to overcome these drawbacks. It consists
of surrounding cells with a semipermeable polymeric membrane. The latter permits the
entry of nutrients and the exit of therapeutic protein products, obtaining in this
way a sustained delivery of the desirable molecule. The membrane isolates the enclosed
cells from the host immune system, preventing the recognition of the immobilization
cells as foreign. This review paper intends to overview the current situation in the
cell encapsulation field and discusses the main events that have occurred along the
way. The technical advances together with the ever increasing knowledge and experience
in the field will undoubtedly lead to the realization of the full potential of cell
encapsulation in the future.
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