On-Cell Surface Cross-Linking of Polymer Molecules by Horseradish Peroxidase Anchored to Cell Membrane for Individual...

Hydrogel sheaths were fabricated on the surfaces of individual mammalian cells through the cross-linking of polymer molecules catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in aqueous solution. For confining the progress of the cross-linking only on the cell surface, HRP was anchored to the cell membrane by soaking the cells in the solution containing the HRP conjugated with a biocompatible anchor molecule for cell membrane. The hydrogel sheath of about 1 μm thickness was obtained by soaking the cells with the anchored HRP in aqueous solution containing polymers possessing phenolic hydroxyl (Ph) moieties and H₂O₂ for 10 min. The hydrogel sheaths could be made from a variety of polymers possessing Ph moieties, for example, derivatives of polysaccharide, protein, and synthetic polymer. Cytocompatibility of the on-cell surface enzymatic hydrogel sheath formation was confirmed from the viability of the enclosed cells (>90%) and subsequent normal growth after removal of the hydrogel sheath.