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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
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Phospholipid polymer hydrogels with rapid dissociation for reversible cell immobilization
Sachi Moriwaki1, Yuta Yoshizaki1, Tomohiro Konno1
1Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan. t-konno@tohoku.ac.jp.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|January 11, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a novel polymer hydrogel for reversible cell immobilization. This zwitterionic phospholipid polymer matrix rapidly releases cells with no damage, improving cell recovery for cell engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cell immobilization is crucial for various biotechnological applications.
- Existing methods often lack rapid reversibility or can damage cells.
- Developing cytocompatible and easily recoverable cell matrices is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a reversible and cytocompatible cell immobilization matrix.
- To achieve rapid dissociation of the polymer hydrogel for efficient cell recovery.
- To utilize a zwitterionic phospholipid polymer for enhanced biomaterial properties.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a zwitterionic phospholipid polymer incorporating 3-methacrylamide phenylboronic acid (MAPBA).
- Spontaneous formation of hydrogels by mixing the synthesized polymer (PMB-MAPBA) with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA).
- Assessment of hydrogel dissociation rate upon addition of D-sorbitol and evaluation of cell immobilization and recovery.
Main Results:
- The PMB-MAPBA/PVA hydrogel formed spontaneously under physiological conditions (neutral pH, room temperature).
- Complete hydrogel dissociation occurred within 10 minutes upon D-sorbitol addition.
- High cell recovery ratios were achieved due to the rapid dissociation, with no observed invasive damage to the cells.
Conclusions:
- The developed phospholipid polymer hydrogel offers a promising platform for reversible and cytocompatible cell immobilization.
- The rapid, stimuli-responsive dissociation facilitates efficient cell recovery, addressing limitations of current methods.
- This material holds potential for advanced cell engineering and other biotechnological applications requiring dynamic cell matrices.

