Truly Nonionic Polymer Shells for the Encapsulation of Living Cells
Abstract
Engineering surfaces of living cells with natural or synthetic compounds can mediate intercellular communication and provide a protective barrier from hostile agents. We report on truly nonionic hydrogen-bonded LbL coatings for cell surface engineering. These ultrathin, highly permeable polymer membranes are constructed on living cells without the cationic component typically employed to increase the stability of LbL coatings. Without the cytotoxic cationic PEI prelayer, the viability of encapsulated cells drastically increases to 94%, in contrast to 20% viability in electrostatically- bonded LbL shells. Moreover, the long-term growth of encapsulated cells is not affected, thus facilitating efficient function of protected cells in hostile environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 04, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA570796
Entities
People
- Irina Drachuk
- Jessica L. Carter
- Morley Stone
- Nancy Kelley-Loughnane
- Svetlana V Harbaugh
- Vladimir V. Tsukruk
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory