Immobilization of human red blood cells

Human red blood cells were immobilized in an alginate network which was cross-linked with Ca2+ ions. The immobilized cells were stored for longer than 5 weeks at 4 degrees C in an isotonic buffered NaCl solution containing glucose, inosine, adenine, and guanosine for energy supply. The immobilized cells were released from the alginate network by dissolving the matrix with citrate. Both the immobilized and released cells retain their biconcave shape over the storage period. Measurements of the released cell population in a hydrodynamically focussing Coulter Counter demonstrated that the mean size of the size distribution, the breakdown voltage, and the internal conductivity have not changed in contrast to control measurements on red blood cells stored conventionally in suspension indicating that immobilization preserves cellular functions.