Fabrication of red-blood-cell-like polyelectrolyte microcapsules and their deformation and recovery behavior through a microcapillary

Abstract

Multilayer microcapsules with a biconcave discoidal shape mimicking red blood cells (RBCs) are fabricated. The structure of the RBC-like microcapsules is verified by scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopies. The capsules show elastic deformation after being forced through a microcapillary with a smaller diameter, exhibiting a high recovery ratio of ≈90%. When the capsules are coated with hemoglobin (Hb),they are able to reversibly bind and release oxygen.

Keywords: biomedical applications; biomimetics; layer-by-layer (LbL); microcapsules; oxygen delivery; red blood cells.