An anticoagulant activity system using nanoengineered autofluorescent heparin nanotubes

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Heparin (HEP) and its derivative, periodate-oxidized heparin (O-HEP), are known for their anticoagulant properties.
• Layer-by-layer (LbL) techniques and template methods are established for nanomaterial fabrication.
• Schiff base reactions offer a route for covalent cross-linking in polymer assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate novel autofluorescent nanotubes using heparin derivatives and chitosan.
• To investigate the structural, fluorescent, and anticoagulant properties of the synthesized nanotubes.
• To explore the potential of this method for creating other autofluorescent nanomaterials.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of heparin (HEP) and periodate-oxidized heparin (O-HEP) nanotubes via template and LbL methods.
• Fabrication of chitosan (CHI) and O-HEP nanotubes using covalent cross-linking Schiff base reactions.
• Characterization of nanotube structures using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized tubular structures of HEP/CHI and O-HEP/CHI nanotubes.
• O-HEP/CHI nanotubes exhibited significant autofluorescence without external dyes, while HEP/CHI nanotubes did not.
• Both types of nanotubes retained anticoagulant activity, with HEP/CHI nanotubes showing higher activity.
• The fabrication method is adaptable for other copolysaccharide derivatives.

Conclusions:

• Novel autofluorescent nanotubes were successfully fabricated from O-HEP and CHI via Schiff base cross-linking.
• The O-HEP/CHI nanotubes possess inherent autofluorescence and retain anticoagulant properties.
• This approach provides a versatile platform for developing new autofluorescent nanomaterials with potential biomedical applications.