Temporal and spatially controllable cell encapsulation using a water-soluble phospholipid polymer with phenylboronic acid moiety

Temporal and spatially controllable cell encapsulation based on a water-soluble phospholipid polymer is reported in this study. Phospholipid polymers, i.e., poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-n-butyl methacrylate-co-p-vinylphenylboronic acid) (PMBV), were synthesized. A series of hydrogels was prepared between the water-soluble PMBV and other water-soluble polymers having multi-valent alcoholic groups, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The PMBV/PVA hydrogels were formed not only in water, but also in a cell culture medium, and dissociated by the excess addition of low molecular weight di-valent hydroxyl compounds, such as d-glucose. The PMBV/PVA hydrogel was applied as a cell-container which has three-dimensional matrices for the reversible encapsulation of living cells without any response in it. Uniform cell seeding can be achieved using the hydrogels due to the homogenous gel formation of PMBV and PVA in the cell culture medium. Fibroblast cells were encapsulated in the PMBV/PVA hydrogel and maintained for 1 week. After dissociation of the PMBV/PVA hydrogel, the cells were seeded on conventional tissue culture polystyrene. The cells adhered and proliferated as usual on the plate. That is, the PMBV/PVA hydrogel will be useful as a cell-container, which can maintain the cells without any significant adverse effect on the entrapped cells.