Immobilization of Erythrocytes by Radiation Polymerization of Glass-Forming Monomers at Low Temperatures

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Abstract
The immobilization of erythrocyte as the whole cell without hemolysis was studied. Erythrocytes can be treated and immobilized stably by radiation polymerization of specific monomers having high viscous and long oxyethylene units chain such as methoxypolyethyleneglycol methacrylate (M-23 G) and polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (14 G). Irradiation dose without hemolysis was limited less than 1 .times. 105 rad and a comonomer system consisting of M-23 G-14 G, 1:1 and small quantity of glutaraldehyde (GA) was the optimum carrier composition. The functional properties of the immobilized erythrocyte was investigated. The immobilized cell carried out CO2-O2 gas exchange effectively and reversibly as in the intact cell. The immobilized erythrocyte showed the catalase activity just as in the intact cell. The stability of erythrocyte increased greatly by the immobilization for standing at low and room temperatures and hardly hemolyzed in non-isotonic medium such as pure water. Scanning electron microscope revealed that the immobilized erythrocyte had a hollow disk shape same as in intact cell and covered with a thin polymer layer.

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