Glucose Transporter-mediated Dynamic Attachment of Erythrocytes onto a Reducing Glucose-carrying Polystyrene.

Abstract

Erythrocytes, which carry type-1 glucose transporters (GLUT-1) in their plasma membrane, were found to attach specifically and strongly to dishes which had been coated with a polystyrene derivative (PVG) substituted with reducing glucose moieties. The concave erythrocytes took teardrop shapes, stood on the rim, and swayed with gentle disturbance in the medium. In contrast, erythrocytes attached by nonspecific hydrophobic interaction on uncoated polystyrene dishes assumed fiat morphology and remained unperturbed by movements in the medium. The attachment to PVG substratum was suppressed by (1) GLUT-1 inhibitors such as phloretin, phloridzin, and cytochalasin B, and (2) PVG molecules in solution, and (3) at 4°C, suggesting that the specific recognition of high density of glucose on PVG and the dynamic movement of GLUT-1 are essential for the attachment. This novel combination of glucose transporter-carrying cells and reducing glucose-carrying polymer may lead to biomaterials with a wide range of applications.