摘要 |
Living cells modified at their surface with specially selected polymers are disclosed. A simple method to covalently attach specially selected PEG derivatives to the surface of RBC in aqueous media under mild conditions is a preferred example. The selected PEG-modification dramatically reduced aggregation and low shear viscosity of RBC resuspended in autologous plasma, and inhibited RBC agglutination by blood group-specific antibodies. The morphology and deformability of the PEG-treated cells were unaltered. The PEG coating of the RBC surface is applicable to the treatment of a variety of diseases characterized by vaso-occlusion or impaired blood flow, e.g., myocardial infarction, shock, and sickle cell disease.
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