Antithrombotic coating with sheltered positive charges prevents contact activation by controlling factor...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research

Background:

• Blood-contacting medical devices require antithrombotic surfaces to prevent device-induced thrombogenesis and reduce anticoagulant-related bleeding risks.
• Current strategies often focus on protein-repelling surfaces, which may not be universally effective.
• A need exists for advanced materials that control coagulation activation without compromising essential hemostatic functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel substrate-independent antithrombotic polymeric coating.
• To optimize interactions with coagulation factor XII, rather than simply preventing its adsorption.
• To create a coating that prevents thrombogenesis while preserving hemostasis.

Main Methods:

• Development of a polymeric coating with sheltered positive charges designed to interact specifically with coagulation factor XII.
• In vitro testing using human blood to assess antithrombotic properties.
• In vivo evaluation using a rabbit carotid artery-jugular vein shunt model to demonstrate efficacy in a physiological setting.

Main Results:

• The developed coating demonstrated strong interaction with coagulation factor XII.
• Despite strong interaction, the coating induced minimal reciprocal activation of the contact pathway, which initiates clot formation.
• In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed the antithrombotic efficacy of the coating, contradicting traditional protein-repelling surface strategies.

Conclusions:

• A novel antithrombotic polymeric coating has been successfully developed by optimizing factor XII interactions.
• This approach challenges the conventional paradigm of protein-repelling surfaces for antithrombotic applications.
• The developed coating holds significant potential for improving the safety and efficacy of various blood-contacting medical devices.