Figure 3.

Live/dead staining of human islet-cells encapsulated in alginate-based capsules containing either 0.1, 10, and 50 µg/ml collagen type VI. Illustration of islets in control condition (in alginate capsule without collagen), and a capsule containing 10 µg/ml collagen VI (a). Islet-cell viability was enhanced by inclusion of collagen VI in the immunoprotective capsule at all-time points tested (b). Encapsulated human islets were stained with ethidium homodimer-1 to quantify the percentage of dead cells at days 3, 5, and 7 of culture (c). Alginate capsules without ECM components served as control. Values represent mean ± SEM (n = 4, different donors). *, and ** indicates statistical significant differences (p < 0.05), and (p < 0.01) when compared to control islets respectively (Col VI, collagen type VI).