In Situ Biomimetic Glycocalyx Layer Protects Endothelial Damage in Xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation offers a transformative solution to the global organ shortage crisis. However, the survival of xenografts remains limited despite various proposed strategies. In this study, we present an endothelial cell protection strategy that extends graft survival through the in situ construction of biomimetic glycan-enriched nanofibers. These biomimetic glycan-enriched molecules specifically target integrin αvβ3 and form a polysaccharide-structured nanofiber network on the vascular endothelial surface. This network protects endothelial cells without compromising their normal physiological functions. The constructed biomimetic glycan-enriched layer significantly increased the xenograft survival by 1.64-fold compared to the untreated groups. This work introduces a novel strategy to enhance the survival of heart xenografts.