Can We Arrest the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance? The Differences between the Effects of Silver Nanoparticles and Silver Ions

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are effective antimicrobial substances that show promise in combatting multidrug resistance. The potential application and release of AgNPs into the environment may neutralize the selective advantage of antibiotic resistance. Systemic knowledge regarding the effect of NPs on the evolution of antibiotic resistance is lacking. Our results showed that bacteria slowly developed adaptive tolerance to ciprofloxacin (CIP) under cyclic CIP and silver ion (Ag+) cotreatment, and no resistance/tolerance was discernible when CIP and AgNP exposure was alternated. In contrast, rapid CIP resistance was induced under continuous selection by treatment with only CIP. To combat the effects of CIP and Ag+, bacteria developed convergent evolutionary strategies with similar adaptive mechanisms, including anaerobic respiration transitioning (to reduce oxidative stress) and stringent response (to survive harsh environments). Alternating AgNP exposure impeded evolutionary resistance by accelerating B12-dependent folate and methionine cycles, which reestablished DNA synthesis and partially offset high oxidative stress levels, in contrast with the effect of CIP-directed evolutionary pressure. Nevertheless, CIP/AgNP treatment was ineffective in attenuating virulence, and CIP/Ag+ exposure even induced the virulence-critical type III secretion system. Our results increase the basic understanding of the impacts of NPs on evolutionary biology and suggest prospective nanotechnology applications for arresting evolutionary antibiotic resistance.

Nanosilver-Induced Pseudo Cuproptosis of Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria during the Storage of Ozone-Treated Wastewater

“…Despite these challenges, nanosilver possesses outstanding antibacterial properties and the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration value compared to other metals. − Therefore, seeking further pathways to increase intracellular nanoaluminum on this basis constitutes seizing opportunities in response to the situation. Moreover, a low concentration of nanosilver is more promising to apply in the area of ozone-treated wastewater storage; otherwise, it will rapidly accumulate in the food chain, posing a threat to humans. , Therefore, our approach involves maintaining a relatively low concentration of nanosilver in the stored water while increasing its concentration in the immediate vicinity of bacterial cells.…”

Self‐assembly multifunctional DNA tetrahedron for efficient elimination of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

“…[6,7] Nanoparticle-based antibiotic, such as silver nanoparticles (AgNP), with no cross-resistance to most of the chemically synthesized antibiotics, has attracted more attention in drug-resistant therapy. [8][9][10] Huang and co-workers [11] developed a composite material of AgNP and photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. Under light illumination, the combined material successfully promote antibacterial effects to drug-resistant bacteria.…”

“…Even though AgNP exhibits broadspectrum and robust antimicrobial properties, it still holds the short back of instability in physiological environment and limited biosafety caused by non-selectivity poisoning. [8,10,13] The hindrance in effective administration and target recognition restricts AgNPs from handling infectious problems physiologically.…”

Self-assembly multifunctional DNA Tetrahedron for Efficient Elimination of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

“…[6,7] Nanoparticle-based antibiotic, such as silver nanoparticles (AgNP), with no cross-resistance to most of the chemically synthesized antibiotics, has attracted more attention in drug-resistant therapy. [8][9][10] Eventhough AgNP exhibits broad-spectrum and robust antimicrobial properties, it still holds the short back of instability in physiological environment and limited biosafety caused by non-selectivity poisoning. [8,10,11] The hindrance in effective administration and target recognition restricts AgNPs from handling infectious problems physiologically.…”

“…[8][9][10] Eventhough AgNP exhibits broad-spectrum and robust antimicrobial properties, it still holds the short back of instability in physiological environment and limited biosafety caused by non-selectivity poisoning. [8,10,11] The hindrance in effective administration and target recognition restricts AgNPs from handling infectious problems physiologically. DNA nanotechnology, which emerged at the beginning of the 1980s, generates new class of artificial medium to precisely control and organize functional ligands.…”