title: Influence of polyelectrolyte film stiffness on bacterial growth.
abstract: Photo-cross-linkable polyelectrolyte films, whose nanomechanical properties can be varied under UV light illumination, were prepared from poly(l-lysine) (PLL) and a hyaluronan derivative modified with photoreactive vinylbenzyl groups (HAVB). The adhesion and the growth of two model bacteria, namely  Escherichia coli  and  Lactococcus lactis , were studied on non-cross-linked and cross-linked films to investigate how the film stiffness influences the bacterial behavior. While the Gram positive  L. lactis  was shown to grow slowly on both films, independently of their rigidity, the Gram negative  E. coli  exhibited a more rapid growth on non-cross-linked softer films compared to the stiffer ones. Experiments performed on photopatterned films showing both soft and stiff regions, confirmed a faster development of  E. coli  colonies on softer regions. Interestingly, this behavior is opposite to the one reported before for mammalian cells. Therefore, the photo-cross-linked (PLL/HAVB) films are interesting coatings for tissue engineering since they promote the growth of mammalian cells while limiting the bacterial colonization.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences, Bio- & Soft Matter Division, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 1, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
authors.forename: Naresh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Monge
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dulong
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Picart
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Glinel
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D013294:Lactococcus lactis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D011107:Polylysine / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004573:Electrolytes; D011108:Polymers; D011107:Polylysine; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid