Encapsulation of stem cells

Stem cells (SCs), as potent therapeutic tools to treat various regenerative diseases, are characterized by their self-renewal and capacity to differentiate into specific cell types under defined microenvironments. Today, SC encapsulation represents a novel technique utilized to shield SCs inside semipermeable and biocompatible materials. Creating three-dimensional (3D) microenvironments in encapsulation systems helps to protect SCs from the host’s immune system, maintain self-renewal potency, improve cell proliferation, induce SC differentiation, and, by allowing the diffusion of oxygen, growth factors, and cytokines, increase the viability of cells. This chapter will provide an overview of the application of encapsulation technology for maintaining SC potency, increasing cell viability, directing SC differentiation, and investigating production methods. Finally we focus on application of SCs encapsulation technology for tissue regeneration in various disorders.