Effect of gelatin on the properties of mesenchymal stromal cells during cultivation and hypothermic storage within core–shell alginate capsules

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-8025.2026.356113

Keywords:

mesenchymal stromal cells, alginate capsules, core–shell systems, gelatin, 3D cell culture, metabolic activity, cell viability, cell encapsulation, ambient storage, tissue engineering

Abstract

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are widely used in regenerative medicine and cell engineering; however, conventional two-dimensional culture systems fail to reproduce the physiological microenvironment of cells and limit the preservation of their functional state.

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the effect of gelatin concentration in the core of alginate core–shell capsules on the viability, metabolic activity and spatial organisation of human bone marrow-derived MSCs.

Materials and Methods. Alginate core–shell capsules were fabricated using coaxial electrospraying with an alginate shell and hydrogel core containing different gelatin concentrations (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5% w/v). Rheological properties of the core and shell materials were analysed by rotational rheometry. Cell viability was assessed using Live/Dead fluorescence staining, metabolic activity by Alamar Blue assay, and spatial organisation by light and fluorescence microscopy. Capsules were cultured under physiological conditions for 17 days and subsequently transferred to ambient temperature storage.

Results. All capsule formulations supported high MSC viability during long-term culture. However, the functional state of the cells strongly depended on the core composition. Capsules containing 2.5% gelatin demonstrated the most pronounced increase in metabolic activity and the formation of interconnected, network-like cellular structures. Increasing gelatin concentration to 5–7.5% resulted in reduced metabolic activity and the formation of compact cell aggregates. Following storage at ambient temperature (22 °C), metabolic activity decreased in all groups, whereas cell viability remained stable.

Conclusions. Gelatin concentration within the capsule core is a key parameter regulating MSC functional behaviour in three-dimensional culture systems. Alginate core–shell capsules represent a promising platform for short-term storage and transportation of cells while maintaining their viability and structural organisation

Author Biographies

Oleksandra Hubenia, Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Leibniz University Hannover

Junior Researcher

Department of Cryobiochemistry

Researcher

Institute for Multiphase Processes

Sara Leal Marin, Leibniz University Hannover

Doctor of Engineering, Postdoctoral Researcher

Institute for Multiphase Processes

Natalia Trufanova, Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

PhD

Department of Cryobiochemistry

Ievgen Ivanov, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Birgit Glasmacher, Leibniz University Hannover

Doctor of Engineering, Professor

Institute for Multiphase Processes

Oleksandr Petrenko, Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor

Department of Cryobiochemistry

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Published

2026-03-31

How to Cite

Hubenia, O., Marin, S. L., Trufanova, N., Ivanov, I., Glasmacher, B., & Petrenko, O. (2026). Effect of gelatin on the properties of mesenchymal stromal cells during cultivation and hypothermic storage within core–shell alginate capsules. ScienceRise: Biological Science, (1 (45), 19–29. https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-8025.2026.356113

Issue

No. 1 (45) (2026)

Section

Biological research

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Copyright (c) 2026 Oleksandra Hubenia, Sara Leal Marin, Natalia Trufanova, Ievgen Ivanov, Birgit Glasmacher, Oleksandr Petrenko

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