Imagine being able to stop a hemorrhage in a few minutes, without having to look for compatible donors or worry about the expiration of blood bags. A scenario that could soon become reality thanks to synthetic platelets, a revolutionary invention capable of forever changing the way we deal with critical medical situations.
Developed in the laboratory at North Carolina State University, these artificial platelets promise to overcome the limitations of traditional transfusions, offering a rapid, safe and effective solution for patients of all blood types.
The situation today
Currently, patients who require platelet transfusions (such as in cases of severe bleeding or surgery) receive platelets taken from blood donors, ideally with a compatible blood type. However, this procedure presents several challenges: the limited availability of platelets, their short shelf life and the need to keep them under controlled conditions.
Synthetic plates: a versatile and ready-to-use solution
The synthetic platelets developed by the researchers offer a promising solution to these problems. “We have developed synthetic platelets that can be used with patients of any blood type and are designed to directly reach the injury site and promote healing,” he explains Ashley Brown, pictured, lead author of the study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine (I'll link it here).
What's more: synthetic platelets are easy to store and transport, allowing them to be administered to patients in urgent clinical situations, such as in an ambulance (or on a battlefield).
Mimicking nature: hydrogels and antibodies
How are artificial platelets made? The “recipe” is this: hydrogel nanoparticles that mimic the size, shape and mechanical properties of human platelets. Hydrogels are water-based gels composed of water and a small percentage of polymer molecules.
Our synthetic platelets are deformable: they can change shape just like normal platelets
Ashley Brown
The surface of the synthetic platelets has been engineered to incorporate fragments of antibodies that bind to a protein called fibrin. When the body sustains an injury, it synthesizes fibrin at the wound site, forming a mesh-like substance to aid clotting.
Thanks to the antibody fragments on their surface, synthetic platelets travel freely in the bloodstream until they reach the wound site, where they bind to fibrin and accelerate the clotting process.
Do they work?
In the first phase of the experimentation, researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of the antibody fragments through in vitro tests. They also tested the possibility of producing antibody fragments and synthetic platelets on a large scale for potential commercial production.
Subsequently, used mouse and pig models to determine the optimal dose of synthetic platelets needed to stop bleeding. The experiments showed that the synthetic platelets homed in on the wound site, accelerated clotting without causing problems in other areas of the body, and promoted healing. Additionally, the animals were able to safely eliminate the synthetic platelets over time through normal kidney function, with no noticeable side effects. Obviously, the last step is needed: the most important.
Synthetic platelets, towards clinical trials on humans
The promising results obtained on animal models pave the way for clinical trials on humans. Researchers are completing preclinical efficacy testing. They are in the process of obtaining the necessary funding for safety studies, with the goal of obtaining FDA approval to begin clinical trials within two years.
If approved for clinical use, synthetic platelets will revolutionize the treatment of bleeding and serious injuries. They will be able to offer a quick, effective and universal solution that could save countless lives and simplify the management of emergencies.
Safer, accessible and timely transfusions? Let's all hope so.
