Ultrasound-responsive piezoelectric core-shell nanofiber patch for theranostic management of blood clot-related complications

초록

Blood clot-related disorders remain a major clinical challenge, necessitating therapeutic systems capable of both timely intervention and real-time monitoring. Herein, we report a biocompatible piezoelectric nanofibrous patch that integrates clot sensing with stimulus-responsive thrombolytic therapy within a single platform. The patch is based on electrospun poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) functionalized with glycine (Gly), where intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the amine/hydroxyl groups of Gly and the carbonyl groups of PLLA facilitates enhanced dipole alignment and stabilization of the enhanced β-phase formation (∼65%), improved crystallinity (∼78%). In addition, the PLLA@Gly aligned nanofibrous architecture promotes ordered polarization orientation, resulting in improved piezoelectric responsiveness and electromechanical energy conversion efficiency. Building upon this piezoelectric scaffold, a coaxial electrospinning strategy was employed to fabricate PLLA@Gly@uPA core-shell nanofibers, with the thrombolytic agent urokinase (uPA) encapsulated within the core. The coaxial architecture enables efficient drug encapsulation while providing improved drug-loading efficiency with sustained stimuli-responsive drug release. Under external mechanical or ultrasound stimulation, the enhanced piezoelectric response of the aligned PLLA@Gly shell facilitates controlled release of uPA, promoting efficient clot degradation. Thus, the developed patch offers a dual-functional platform: (i) piezoelectric sensing of local biomechanical changes associated with clot formation, and (ii) triggered thrombolytic therapy for effective clot removal. This integrated approach holds significant promise for minimally invasive management of blood clot-related complications, combining diagnosis and therapy within a single smart biomaterial system.

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