Molecularly Engineered PEG-TRAP Conjugates for Platelet Activation and Accelerated Hemostasis

Synthetic peptide conjugates that can molecularly target and activate blood platelets are designed for hemostasis applications. An engineered thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP-Cys, SFLLRNPNC) is covalently attached to cell-compatible 8-arm poly (ethylene glycol) maleimides via Michael addition. It is proved that the ability of TRAP to activate platelets is retained in the conjugated form by means of thromboelastometry, platelet aggregation assay and flow cytometry. A 0.5 % PEG-TRAP solution can efficiently activate platelets and shorten the clotting time to ~45 %.