Bio-responsive polymer hydrogels homeostatically regulate blood coagulation

Nat Commun. 2013:4:2168. doi: 10.1038/ncomms3168.

Abstract

Bio-responsive polymer architectures can empower medical therapies by engaging molecular feedback-response mechanisms resembling the homeostatic adaptation of living tissues to varying environmental constraints. Here we show that a blood coagulation-responsive hydrogel system can deliver heparin in amounts triggered by the environmental levels of thrombin, the key enzyme of the coagulation cascade, which--in turn--becomes inactivated due to released heparin. The bio-responsive hydrogel quantitatively quenches blood coagulation over several hours in the presence of pro-coagulant stimuli and during repeated incubation with fresh, non-anticoagulated blood. These features enable the introduced material to provide sustainable, autoregulated anticoagulation, addressing a key challenge of many medical therapies. Beyond that, the explored concept may facilitate the development of materials that allow the effective and controlled application of drugs and biomolecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage*
  • Anticoagulants / pharmacology
  • Blood Coagulation / drug effects*
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Heparin / administration & dosage*
  • Heparin / pharmacology
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemical synthesis*
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Oligopeptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Thrombin / metabolism

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Hydrogels
  • Oligopeptides
  • Polymers
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Heparin
  • Thrombin