A Bionic Nano-Band-Aid Constructed by the Three-Stage Self-Assembly of Peptides for Rapid Liver Hemostasis.

Abstract

Critical challenges remain in trauma emergency and surgical procedures involving liver bleeding, particularly in perforating wounds that cannot be pressed and large wounds that cannot be sewn. Self-assembling peptide hydrogels are particularly attractive due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and programmability. Herein, we develop a nano-band-aid (NBA) through a three-stage self-assembly strategy of two functionalized peptides, which were first coassembled into nanofibers and then woven to a meshlike network driven by Ca²⁺. Then, catalyzed by blood coagulation factor XIIIa (FXIIIa), NBA underwent a third stage, self-assembly into a densely compacted physical barrier to stop and control the bleeding. As expected, NBA rapidly and efficiently stopped the bleeding in rat liver scratches while effectively reducing the inflammation around the wound and promoting the wound healing. This bionic self-assembly strategy will provide a clinically potential peptide-based treatment for fatal liver bleeding and reinvigorate efforts to develop self-assembling peptide hydrogels as hemostatic agents.