Dual-Functional Polyethylene Glycol-b-polyhexanide Surface Coating with in Vitro and in Vivo Antimicrobial and Antifouling Activities

Abstract

In recent years, microbial colonization on the surface of biomedical implants/devices has become a severe threat to human health. Herein, surface-immobilized guanidine derivative block copolymers create an antimicrobial and antifouling dual-functional coating. We report the preparation of an antimicrobial and antifouling block copolymer by the conjugation of polyhexanide (PHMB) with either allyl glycidyl ether or allyloxy polyethylene glycol (APEG; MW 1200 and 2400). The allyl glycidyl ether modified PHMB (A-PHMB) and allyloxy polyethylene glycol modified PHMB (APEG-PHMB) copolymers were grafted onto a silicone rubber surface as a bottlebrush-like coating, respectively, using a plasma-UV-assisted surface-initiated polymerization. Both A-PHMB and APEG-PHMB coatings exhibited excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against Gram-negative/positive bacteria and fungi. The APEG-PHMB coating displayed an improved antibiofilm as well as antifouling properties and a long reusable cycle, compared with two other coatings, due to its abundant PEG blocks among those copolymers. Also, the APEG-PHMB-coated silicone coupons were biocompatible toward mammalian cells, as revealed by in vitro hemocompatibile and cytotoxic assays. An in vivo study showed a significant decline of Escherichia coli colonies with a 5-log reduction, indicating the APEG-PHMB coating surface worked effectively in the rodent subcutaneous infection model. This PHMB-based block copolymer coating is believed to be an effective strategy to prevent biomaterial-associated infections.

Optimization and integration of nanosilver on polycaprolactone nanofibrous mesh for bacterial inhibition and wound healing in vitro and in vivo

“…The result showed that PCL/NS1.0 could prevent the bacterial infection and the subsequent severe inflammation response (Figure 12), which was benefit for the wound healing. 37,58 The wound healing is a complex biological process including three stages: inflammation, new tissue regeneration and remodeling. 59 The active keratinocyte proliferation and fast re-epithelialization are important for the new tissue regeneration, while the bacterial infection is the main cause of impaired healing.…”

Introduction of anti-fouling coatings at the surface of supramolecular elastomeric materials via post-modification of reactive supramolecular additives

“…These results hold great promise in the development of functional supramolecular biomaterials that exhibit selective surface functionality. The introduction of anti-fouling coatings at surfaces has been widely investigated in the literature, 30,[48][49][50][51][52][53][54] however examples where the covalent attachment of such coatings at supramolecular surfaces is investigated are scarce. Upon the introduction of the anti-fouling coating, the materials are prevented from nonspecific protein and cell adhesion.…”

Mussel‐Inspired, Surface‐Attachable Initiator for Grafting of Antimicrobial and Antifouling Hydrogels

“…Therefore, new technologies are greatly demanded to solve the above‐mentioned disadvantages. So far, researchers have witnessed the advancement of antimicrobial polymer coatings to prevent microorganisms' adhesion and proliferation for combating BAI, by various approaches such as self‐assembly interactions, in situ surface immobilization, chemical vapor deposition, and plasma‐assisted surface grafting . However, the preparation of these coatings usually involves complicated steps, expensive materials, or harsh water/oxygen‐free environment .…”