Freely Suspended Cellular “Backpacks” Lead to Cell Aggregate Self-Assembly

• Published in: Biomacromolecules Vol. 11; no. 7; pp. 1826 - 1832
• Main Authors: Swiston, Albert J, Gilbert, Jonathan B, Irvine, Darrell J, Cohen, Robert E, Rubner, Michael F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 12.07.2010
• Subjects: Applied sciences; B-Lymphocytes - metabolism; B-Lymphocytes - physiology; Cell Adhesion; Cell Line, Tumor; Exact sciences and technology; Flow Cytometry; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Humans; Macromolecular Substances - chemistry; Miscellaneous; Particle Size; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Self-assembled layer; Glycolic acid copolymer; Self assembly; Methacrylic acid polymer; Lactic acid copolymer; Ammonium(diallyl dimethyl) polymer; Multiple layer; Cell cell interaction; B-Lymphocyte; Experimental study; Dimension spectrum; Aggregation; Polyelectrolyte; Pyrrolidone(vinyl) polymer; Size effect; Styrenesulfonate polymer; Oside polymer; Chitosan; Manufacturing; Hyaluronic acid; Photolithography
• ISSN: 1525-7797; 1526-4602
• DOI: 10.1021/bm100305h

Cellular “backpacks” are a new type of anisotropic, nanoscale thickness microparticle that may be attached to the surface of living cells creating a “bio-hybrid” material. Previous work has shown that these backpacks do not impair cell viability or native functions such as migration in a B and T cell line, respectively. In the current work, we show that backpacks, when added to a cell suspension, assemble cells into aggregates of reproducible size. We investigate the efficiency of backpack−cell binding using flow cytometry and laser diffraction, examine the influence of backpack diameter on aggregate size, and show that even when cell−backpack complexes are forced through small pores, backpacks are not removed from the surfaces of cells.