Phosphatidylserine-blocking nanoparticles inhibit thrombosis without increased bleeding in mice

Background: Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a procoagulant phospholipid enriched on surfaces of activated vascular cells including platelets, endothelium, monocytes, and microvesicles. As a molecular driver of thrombosis accessible to drug blockade, PS is an attractive pharmacologic target for modulating thrombogenesis, with potentially reduced bleeding risk compared to anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies.

Objectives: Test antithrombotic capabilities of a liposomal formulation, Zn-dipicolylamine cyanine-3[22,22]/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (molar ratio, 3:97), designated as DPAL, which we previously described binds selectively to PS-enriched cell surfaces, compared with effects on bleeding, in mouse models.

Methods: PS-dependent DPAL binding to human and murine platelets was tested in vitro. Thrombosis and bleeding after DPAL intravenous administration were tested in C57Bl/6J mice following FeCl₃ carotid arterial injury and tail tip amputation, respectively. Incorporation in hemostatic clots was investigated in the cremaster muscle laser injury model. Toxicity was tested by direct exposure to human endothelial cell cultures.

Results: DPAL bound agonist-stimulated, PS-positive human and murine platelets, blocked by Annexin V or Ano6 deletion, which ablate PS exposure. DPAL prolonged prothrombin time, but did not prevent thrombin-induced fibrinogen receptor activation or aggregation, nor alter blood cell counts including platelets. Following arteriolar laser injury, DPAL bound wound surfaces and edges without destabilizing plugs. DPAL dose-dependently blocked FeCl₃-induced arterial thrombosis but did not substantially increase bleeding, or induce endothelial cell death.

Conclusion: DPAL reduces thrombogenesis with minimal effects on bleeding in mouse models via selective binding to PS. DPAL may support novel approaches to modulate pathogenic thrombin generation with improved safety profiles in multiple contexts.