We have developed poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-graft-polypropylene (PNIPAAm-g-PP) non-woven membrane applied to cell separation using plasma-induced graft polymerization¹). Further, we have clarified the separation mechanism that the PNIPAAm-g-PP membrane adsorbed monoclonal antibody (mAb) would selectively capture a specific cell type having a certain receptor on its surface above 32°C and release the captured cells below 32°C (Figure). We previously reported that the PNIPAAm-g-PP membrane with mAb had the separation ability from a mixture of cells, which had adherent property²).

Recentry, we succeeded in enriching CD34 positive cells (KG-1a cells) from 50% in the original cell suspension to 85% of the recovered cells with high viability (92%). Now, we are aiming to develop a simple cell-separation device applied at first to labratry use and then to clinical use.

References

1) Kim S.Y., Kanamori T., Shinbo T.: Preparation of thermal-responsive poly(propylene) membranes grafted with N-isopropylacrylamide by plasma-induced polymerization and their water permeation, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 84, 1168-1177 (2002)

2) Okamura A., Itayagoshi M., Hagiwara T., Yamaguchi M., Kanamori T., Shinbo T., Wang P.C.: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-graft-polypropylene membrane containing adsorbed antibody for cell separation, Biomaterials, 26, 1287-1292 (2004)

Figure Mechanism of cell separation by PNIPAAm-g-PP non-woven membrane with antibody