Composition and methods for cell killing
A method of generating a change in a cellular process of a target cell is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the target cell with a solid buffer, so as to alter an intracellular pH value in at least a portion of the cell, thereby generating the change in a cellular process of a target cell of a multicellular organism. The method may be used to kill either eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. Pharmaceutical compositions and devices are also enclosed.
1. A method of generating a change in a cellular process of a target cell of a multicellular organism resulting in death of said target cell, said method comprising contacting said target cell with a solid buffer comprising a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymer so as to alter an intracellular pH value in at least a portion of said target cell, thereby generating said change in a cellular process of a target cell of a multicellular organism.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said target cell is prokaryotic cell.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said contacting is effected ex vivo.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said solid buffer is attached to an affinity moiety.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said solid buffer is at least partially covered by a selective barrier.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said solid buffer comprises a buffering layer and a water permeable layer being disposed on an external surface of said buffering layer.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said solid buffer has a volumetric buffering capacity greater than about 20 mM H + /ml/pH.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said solid buffer has a pH greater than pH 8.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said solid buffer has a pH less than pH 4.5.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said solid buffer is attached to at least part of a surface of a support.
11. A method of generating a change in a cellular process of a target cell resulting in death of said target cell, said method comprising contacting the target cell with a solid buffer comprising a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, wherein said solid buffer comprises a buffering layer and a water permeable layer being disposed on an external surface of said buffering layer, so as to alter an intracellular pH value in at least a portion of said target cell, thereby killing said target cell.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said target cell is a prokaryotic cell.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein said contacting is effected ex vivo.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein said solid buffer is internalized by said target cell.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein said solid buffer is attached to an affinity moiety.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein said solid buffer is at least partially covered by a selective barrier.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein said solid buffer has a volumetric buffering capacity greater than about 20 mM H + /ml/pH.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein said solid buffer has a pH greater than pH 8.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein said solid buffer has a pH less than pH 4.5.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein said buffer is attached to at least part of a support.