FIG. 1.

Neural stem cell (NSC)-seeded alginate microcapsules with a G composition have superior stability in comparison to all other conditions. G beads remain intact more frequently than M capsules after exposure to 0 mOsm 7 days after seeding (a) (p < 0.001, logistic regression). Poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated capsules break more frequently than uncoated capsules (p < 0.001, logistic regression). Representative images of G (b), G-PLL (c), M (d), and M-PLL (e) capsules in solution illustrate the stability of G capsules (intact beads are labeled “I”) and breakage (broken beads are denoted “B”) of M and G-PLL beads. M-PLL beads are completely dissolved. Insets in (b–d) highlight representative beads (arrows) to improve observation. Error bars are not shown due to the nature of the data analysis. Scale = 1 mm.