Identification of hydrogen peroxide-secreting cells by cytocompatible coating with a hydrogel membrane

A method for identifying each cell secreting reactive oxygen species (ROS) is highly desirable to advance the understanding of the physiological and pathological processes attributed to extracellular ROS. Here, we first report a method for realizing this. The individual cells secreting hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a common ROS, could be coated by a hydrogel membrane through a horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed reaction consuming H2O2 secreted from the cells themselves. This hydrogel membrane coating was proved to be cytocompatible. In addition, the hydrogel membrane made from an alginate derivative could be removed on demand without causing damage to the enclosed cells. These results demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed method to be an effective tool in cellular ROS studies.