Electrospun Zein/PCL Fibrous Matrices Release Tetracycline in a Controlled Manner, Killing Staphylococcus aureus Both in Biofilms and Ex Vivo on Pig Skin, and are Compatible with Human Skin Cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the destruction of clinically-relevant bacteria within biofilms via the sustained release of the antibiotic tetracycline from zein-based electrospun polymeric fibrous matrices and to demonstrate the compatibility of such wound dressing matrices with human skin cells.


METHODS
Zein/PCL triple layered fibrous dressings with entrapped tetracycline were electrospun. The successful entrapment of tetracycline in these dressings was validated. The successful release of bioactive tetracycline, the destruction of preformed biofilms, and the viability of fibroblast (FEK4) cells were investigated.


RESULTS
The sustained release of tetracycline from these matrices led to the efficient destruction of preformed biofilms from Staphylococcus aureus MRSA252 in vitro, and of MRSA252 and ATCC 25923 bacteria in an ex vivo pig skin model using 1 × 1 cm square matrices containing tetracycline (30 μg). Human FEK4 cells grew normally in the presence of these matrices.


CONCLUSIONS
The ability of the zein-based matrices to destroy bacteria within increasingly complex in vitro biofilm models was clearly established. An ex vivo pig skin assay showed that these matrices, with entrapped tetracycline, efficiently kill bacteria and this, combined with their compatibility with a human skin cell line suggest these matrices are well suited for applications in wound healing and infection control.
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
Nour
N
Alhusein
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK. prsisb@bath.ac.uk.
Ian S
IS
Blagbrough
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.|Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB, UK.
Michael L
ML
Beeton
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
Albert
A
Bolhuis
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
Paul A
PA
De Bank
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015028:Zein / Q000737:chemistry*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D015028:Zein; D013752:Tetracycline
biofilm; controlled drug delivery; electrospinning; nanofibre; pig skin