title: Mussel-inspired silver-releasing antibacterial hydrogels.
abstract: A silver-releasing antibacterial hydrogel was developed that simultaneously allowed for silver nanoparticle formation and gel curing. Water-soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers were synthesized that contain reactive catechol moieties, inspired by mussel adhesive proteins, where the catechol containing amino acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) plays an important role in the ability of the mussel to adhere to almost any surface in an aqueous environment. We utilized silver nitrate to oxidize polymer catechols, leading to covalent cross-linking and hydrogel formation with simultaneous reduction of Ag(I). Silver release was sustained for periods of at least two weeks in PBS solution. Hydrogels were found to inhibit bacterial growth, consistent with the well-known antibacterial properties of silver, while not significantly affecting mammalian cell viability. In addition, thin hydrogel films were found to resist bacterial and mammalian cell attachment, consistent with the antifouling properties of PEG. We believe these materials have a strong potential for antibacterial biomaterial coatings and tissue adhesives, due to the material-independent adhesive properties of catechols.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
authors.forename: Dominic E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Fullenkamp
authors.forename: José G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: Yong-Kuan
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: K H Aaron
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Lihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Varshney
authors.forename: Phillip B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Messersmith
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D012212:Rheology / Q000187:drug effects; D012834:Silver / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012996:Solutions; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D020100:Hydrogels; D012996:Solutions; D012834:Silver; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols