Fabrication of red-blood-cell-like polyelectrolyte microcapsules and their deformation and recovery behavior through a microcapillary.
Multilayer microcapsules with a biconcave discoidal shape mimicking red blood cells (RBCs) are fabricated. The structure of the RBC-like microcapsules is verified by scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopies. The capsules show elastic deformation after being forced through a microcapillary with a smaller diameter, exhibiting a high recovery ratio of ≈90%. When the capsules are coated with hemoglobin (Hb),they are able to reversibly bind and release oxygen.
MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P.R. China.
Shupeng
S
She
Qinqin
Q
Li
Bowen
B
Shan
Weijun
W
Tong
Changyou
C
Gao
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D002214:Capsules / Q000737:chemistry*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002214:Capsules; D004573:Electrolytes; D006454:Hemoglobins; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D010100:Oxygen
biomedical applications; biomimetics; layer-by-layer (LbL); microcapsules; oxygen delivery; red blood cells