title: Wool Keratin 3D Scaffolds with Light-Triggered Antimicrobial Activity.
abstract: Photoactivatable keratin sponges were prepared from protein aqueous solutions by the freeze-drying method, followed by photofunctionalization with two different photosensitizers (PS): Azure A (AzA) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis [4-(2-N,N,N-trimethylethylthio)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl]porphyrin tetraiodide salt (TTFAP). The prepared sponges have a porosity between 49% and 80% and a mean pore size in the 37-80 μm range. As compared to AzA, TTFAP interacts more strongly with the sponges as demonstrated by a lower PS release (6% vs 20%), a decreased swelling ratio (1.6 vs 7.4), and a slower biodegradation rate. Nevertheless, AzA-loaded sponges showed the highest photoactivity, as also demonstrated by their higher antibactericidal activity toward both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The obtained results suggest that the antimicrobial photodynamic effect can be finely triggered through a proper selection of the amount and type of photosensitizer, as well as through the irradiation time. Finally, all the prepared sponges support human fibroblast cells growth, while no significant cell viability impairment is observed upon light irradiation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - Italian National Research Council, Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferroni
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - Italian National Research Council, Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sotgiu
authors.affiliation: MIST E-R Laboratory, via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sagnella
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - Italian National Research Council, Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Greta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Varchi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - Italian National Research Council, Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guerrini
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - Italian National Research Council, Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Demetra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giuri
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - Italian National Research Council, UOS Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Polo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita (DBSV), Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via Dunant 3, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Viviana Teresa
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Orlandi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita (DBSV), Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via Dunant 3, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marras
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita (DBSV), Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via Dunant 3, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gariboldi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita (DBSV), Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via Dunant 3, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - Italian National Research Council, Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aluigi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008027:Light; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014935:Wool / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D007633:Keratins