Cell-binding peptides conjugated to poly(ethylene glycol) promote neural cell aggregation

We have developed a method for promoting cell aggregation with bifunctional macromolecules synthesized by coupling cell-binding peptides to an inert, water-soluble polymer. The peptides Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg (YIGSR) were conjugated through their amino termini to both ends of linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), producing bifunctional hybrid polymers: RGD-PEG-RGD and YIGSR-PEG-YIGSR. RGD-PEG-RGD promoted aggregation of mechanically-dissociated fetal brain cells, pheochromocytoma cells (PC12), and neuroblastoma cells maintained in rotation culture at 37 degrees C. Enhanced aggregation was noticeable within 10 minutes and became more pronounced over the next several hours: after 7-9 hours, the mean aggregate volume was up to 10 times larger than the mean volume produced in suspensions containing unmodified PEG. Similar results were obtained with YIGSR-PEG-YIGSR and PC12 cells. Enhancement in aggregation correlated with the ability of soluble RGD or YIGSR to inhibit cell adhesion to surfaces coated with laminin or fibronectin. This method for promoting aggregation may be useful for large scale culture of anchorage dependent cells, eliminating the need for microcarriers. In addition, aggregates formed by this method may be suitable for use in artificial organs or as cell transplants for tissue regeneration.