Fluorinated Hydrophobic Silk as Platelet Compatible Coatings for Platelet Conservation and Storage Applications

Abstract Platelet transfusions are critical medical procedures for patients experiencing life‐threatening conditions. However, there are challenges owing to the high propensity of platelet activation when exposed to foreign surfaces, leading to aggregation and depletion of platelet function. Additionally, the storage requirements for platelets at ambient conditions increase the risk of bacterial contamination, reduce shelf‐life, and pose serious risks associated with infection. Research has focused on developing surface modifications that minimize platelet adhesion to foreign surfaces, thereby minimizing the likelihood of their activation. However, the scalability, hemocompatibility, and cytotoxicity of these approaches are challenging. Alternatively, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)‐based materials have been utilized for platelet transfusions owing to their hydrophobicity, but the compliance mismatch, non‐biodegradability, poor wound‐healing properties, and risk of contamination of synthetic polymers limit their applicability. Here, a hydrophobic silk‐based biopolymer is developed by chemically tethering perfluorocarbons onto the silk (FLsilk) fibroin backbone to achieve fluorinated silk coatings that rival the hydrophobicity of PTFE. FLsilk is also biodegradable, cytocompatible, and successfully inhibits biofilm formation by minimizing bacterial surface adhesion, acting as an anti‐fouling coating. This anti‐fouling behavior also minimizes platelet adhesion and activation during storage, thus preserving platelet functions.