Electrocatalytic on-site oxygenation for transplanted cell-based-therapies

Implantable cell therapies and tissue transplants require a reliable oxygen supply to function effectively. However, achieving sufficient oxygenation within the transplant host remains challenging due to limited vascularization. Previous methods for exogenous oxygenation were bulky and had limited oxygen production or regulation.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-42697-2

In this highly interdisciplinary study co-led by Northwestern and Carnegie Melon Universities, we developed an electro-catalytic approach called “ecO₂” that enables bioelectronic control of oxygen generation in complex cellular environments. We used a nanostructured sputtered iridium oxide film (SIROF) as the catalyst for oxygen evolution at neutral pH. The ecO₂ platform exhibited lower oxygenation onset, selective oxygen production, and no toxic byproducts. Importantly, it sustained high cell loadings (>60k cells/mm³) in hypoxic conditions both in vitro and in vivo.

This work demonstrates that exogenous oxygen production devices can be integrated into bioelectronic platforms, enabling high cell densities in smaller devices with broad applicability. The ability to precisely control oxygen generation offers a significant advantage over older methods, potentially improving the success rate of cell-based treatments for a variety of diseases. The ecO₂ system holds promise for improving the viability and therapeutic functionality of transplanted cell-based therapies.