Intracellular hydrogelation preserves fluid and functional cell membrane interfaces for biological interactions

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Cell membranes are critical for cellular function but are fragile and prone to disintegration upon cell death due to cytoskeletal collapse.
• Maintaining plasma membrane integrity and function after cell death is a significant challenge in various biological and medical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for preserving cell membrane structure and function after cell death.
• To investigate the efficacy of intracellular hydrogelation in stabilizing cell membranes and maintaining cellular functions.

Main Methods:

• Intracellular hydrogelation was achieved by assembling synthetic hydrogel polymers within the cell using photo-activated crosslinking chemistry.
• Various cell types (adherent and suspension) were analyzed across different hydrogel crosslinking densities.
• Cell surface properties, membrane lipid fluidity, lipid order, and protein mobility were assessed in gelated cells.
• Functional preservation was evaluated using gelated antigen-presenting cells in T lymphocyte co-culture assays (ex vivo and in vivo).

Main Results:

• Intracellular hydrogelation successfully stabilized cell membranes, preventing rupture and disintegration upon cell death.
• Gelated cells retained key surface properties, including membrane lipid fluidity, lipid order, and protein mobility.
• Preserved cell surface functions were demonstrated, with gelated antigen-presenting cells effectively stimulating T lymphocytes.
• The technique showed adaptability across different cell types and hydrogel crosslinking densities.

Conclusions:

• Intracellular hydrogelation is a robust technique for preserving cell membranes and their functions post-mortem.
• This method offers a versatile approach for stabilizing cells for biomembrane research and the development of biomedical devices.
• The preservation of cellular functions, such as antigen presentation, highlights the potential of this technique in immunological applications.