title: Preparation and antimicrobial evaluation of polyion complex (PIC) nanoparticles loaded with polymyxin B.
abstract: Here, we describe novel polyion complex (PIC) particles for the delivery of Polymyxin B (Pol-B), an antimicrobial peptide currently used in the clinic as a last resort antibiotic against multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. A range of conditions for the controlled assembly of Pol-B with poly(styrene sulphonate) (PSS) has been identified which let us prepare stable colloidal PIC particles. This way, PIC particles containing different Pol-B:PSS ratios have been prepared and their stability under simulated physiological conditions (i.e. pH, osmotic pressure and temperature) characterised. Furthermore, preliminary evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of these Pol-B containing PIC particles has been performed, by monitoring their effect on the growth ofPseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic gram-negative bacterium.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK; Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Insua
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK; Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Sieta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Majok
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Anna F A
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK; Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Krachler
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK; Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Trillo
keywords: Antimicrobials; Drug delivery; PIC particles; Polyelectrolyte complexes