Artificial Erythrocytes Created by Vesicle Deformation Induced by Inhomogeneous Surface Tension During...

Although artificial oxygen carriers have been extensively developed, successful mimicry of erythrocytes in both morphology and oxygen-binding properties has rarely been achieved. Herein, biconcave disc-shaped vesicles (BDVs) with oxygen-binding capacity are created as artificial erythrocytes through polymerization-induced self-assembly, utilizing a binary mixture of stabilizer blocks with distinct solvent affinities. The distinct solvent affinities induced microphase separation, resulting in inhomogeneous surface tension across the vesicle membrane and potentially causing the spherical vesicles to deform into an erythrocyte-like morphology. The core-forming block of the BDVs, with a high fluorocarbon content, enables the oxygen-binding capacity. Furthermore, the artificial erythrocytes can be engineered to carry functional molecules, such as porphyrins, alongside their role as oxygen carriers. It is believed that this work will provide valuable insights into biomimicry in both structure and function.