A biomimetic platelet based on assembling peptides initiates artificial coagulation

Yang, Pei-Pei; Zhang, Kuo; He, Ping-Ping; Fan, Yu; Gao, Xuejiao J.; Gao, Xingfa; Chen, Zi-Ming; Hou, Da-Yong; Li, Yuan; Yi, Yu; Cheng, Dong-Bing; Zhang, Jing-Ping; Shi, Linqi; Zhang, Xian-Zheng; Wang, Lei; Wang, Hao

Platelets play a critical role in the regulation of coagulation, one of the essential processes in life, attracting great attention. However, mimicking platelets for in vivo artificial coagulation is still a great challenge due to the complexity of the process. Here, we design platelet-like nanoparticles (pNPs) based on self-assembled peptides that initiate coagulation and form clots in blood vessels. The pNPs first bind specifically to a membrane glycoprotein (i.e., CD105) overexpressed on angiogenetic endothelial cells in the tumor site and simultaneously transform into activated platelet-like nanofibers (apNFs) through ligand-receptor interactions. Next, the apNFs expose more binding sites and recruit and activate additional pNPs, forming artificial clots in both phantom and animal models. The pNPs are proven to be safe in mice without systemic coagulation. The self-assembling peptides mimic platelets and achieve artificial coagulation in vivo, thus providing a promising therapeutic strategy for tumors.