A polymer-based systemic hemostatic agent

Sci Adv. 2020 Jul 31;6(31):eaba0588. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aba0588. eCollection 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Uncontrolled noncompressible hemorrhage is a major cause of mortality following traumatic injuries in civilian and military populations. An injectable hemostat for point-of-care treatment of noncompressible hemorrhage represents an urgent medical need. Here, we describe an injectable hemostatic agent via polymer peptide interfusion (HAPPI), a hyaluronic acid conjugate with a collagen-binding peptide and a von Willebrand factor-binding peptide. HAPPI exhibited selective binding to activated platelets and promoted their accumulation at the wound site in vitro. In vivo studies in mouse tail vein laceration model demonstrated a reduction of >97% in both bleeding time and blood loss. A 284% improvement in the survival time was observed in the rat inferior vena cava traumatic model. Lyophilized HAPPI could be stably stored at room temperature for several months and reconstituted during therapeutic intervention. HAPPI provides a potentially clinically translatable intravenous hemostat.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Hemorrhage / drug therapy
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hemostatics* / pharmacology
  • Hemostatics* / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Peptides
  • Polymers*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Hemostatics
  • Peptides
  • Polymers