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Updated: Jul 21, 2025

Author Spotlight: Utilizing Next-Generation Polymerized Human Hemoglobin for Improved Donor Lung Evaluation and Preservation in Rats
Published on: June 14, 2024
Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-Conjugated Hemoglobins as a Red Blood Cell Substitute
Wataru Okamoto1, Yuuki Hiwatashi1, Tatsuhiro Kobayashi1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan.
Abstract:
Hemoglobin wrapped covalently with poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)s (POx-Hb) is characterized physicochemically and physiologically as an artificial O2 carrier for use as a red blood cell (RBC) substitute. The POx-Hb is generated by linkage of porcine Hb surface-lysines to a sulfhydryl terminus of the POx derivative, with the average binding number of the polymers ascertained as 6. The POx-Hb shows moderately higher colloid osmotic activity and O2 affinity than the naked Hb. Human adult HbA conjugated with POx also possesses equivalent features and O2 binding properties. The POx-Hb solution exhibits good hemocompatibility, with no influence on the functions of platelets, granulocytes, and monocytes. Its circulation half-life in rats is 14 times longer than that of naked Hb. Hemorrhagic shock in rats is relieved sufficiently by infusion of the POx-Hb solution, as revealed by improvements of circulatory parameters. Serum biochemistry tests and histopathological observations indicate no acute toxicity or abnormality in the related organs. All results indicate that POx-Hb represents an attractive alternative for RBCs and a useful O2 therapeutic reagent in transfusion medicine.
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