The methacryloyl group, which is one of the most attractive groups in polymer synthesis, has been delivered on a living cell surface via a glycosylation pathway.  N-Methacryloylmannosamine (ManMA) was newly synthesized as a mannosamine derivative, which would be the precursor of cell surface sialic acid residues.  After human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa) were cultivated in a culture medium containing ManMA, a sufficient amount of thiol-terminated 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG410K-SH) was in contact with the cells with the existence of a photoinitiator.  The cells were then exposed to UV-light for 10 min.  The immobilization of PEG410K-SH, termed PEGylation, on the cell surface was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy.  The surface modification did not influence cell viability. Biotinylation of cell surface could be also performed by the addition of a vinyl compound, 2-biotinamidoethyl methacrylate, during PEGylation.  By using this process, the functionalities of a cell surface can be freely controlled with vinyl compounds.

Surface modification of methacryloyl-functionalized living cells

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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