title: Designing nanogel carriers for antibacterial applications.
abstract: We have developed a novel and simple synthesis route to create nanosized (∼5nm) silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) embedded in a biocompatible nanogel (NG) comprising degradable, natural polymers, namely dextran and lysozyme. In this study, we prepared hybrid nanogels with varying lysozyme content, evaluated their potential to reduce Ag NPs in situ (using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, cryo-transmission electronic microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and determined their antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Lysozyme was found to enhance nucleation and stabilization of Ag NPs while limiting their growth. As lysozyme concentration increased, larger nanogels with greater loading of smaller Ag NPs were obtained. The antibacterial properties of hybrid NGs were found to depend upon nanogel type and bacterial conditions. Hybrid nanogels with the largest Ag NPs showed the lowest minimum inhibition concentration. However, the greatest bacterial killing efficiency (up to 100%) occurred within 1h if the bacteria were exposed to hybrid nanogels with smaller Ag NPs while agitating the medium. These results suggest that nanogel properties as well as antibacterial activity can be tuned by varying the lysozyme content. By targeting drug delivery (e.g. ligand grafted surface), these nanogels can be used to prevent biofilm formation and control infection without the complications (i.e. overexposure) associated with classical antibiotic delivery platforms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: M Carme
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Coll Ferrer
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dastgheyb
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Noreen J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Hickok
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Eckmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: composto@seas.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Russell J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Composto
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D003911:Dextrans; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D007700:Kinetics; D008027:Light; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism; D000080385:Nanogels; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012996:Solutions; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013818:Thermogravimetry
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003911:Dextrans; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000080385:Nanogels; D012996:Solutions; C413692:polyethylene glycol polyethyleneimine nanogel; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D009113:Muramidase
keywords: Antibacterial; Dextran; Lysozyme; Nanogel; Silver nanoparticles