Dual-Functional Surfaces Based on an Antifouling Polymer and a Natural Antibiofilm Molecule: Prevention of Biofilm Formation without Using Biocides

Abstract

Pathogenic biofilms formed on the surfaces of implantable medical devices and materials pose an urgent global healthcare problem. Although conventional antibacterial surfaces based on bacteria-repelling or bacteria-killing strategies can delay biofilm formation to some extent, they usually fail in long-term applications, and it remains challenging to eradicate recalcitrant biofilms once they are established and mature. From the viewpoint of microbiology, a promising strategy may be to target the middle stage of biofilm formation including the main biological processes involved in biofilm development. In this work, a dual-functional antibiofilm surface is developed based on copolymer brushes of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 3-(acrylamido)­phenylboronic acid (APBA), with quercetin (Qe, a natural antibiofilm molecule) incorporated via acid-responsive boronate ester bonds. Due to the antifouling properties of the hydrophilic poly­(HEMA) component, the resulting surface is able to suppress bacterial adhesion and aggregation in the early stages of contact. A few bacteria are eventually able to break through the protection of the anti-adhesion layer leading to bacterial colonization. In response to the resulting decrease in the pH of the microenvironment, the surface could then release Qe to interfere with the microbiological processes related to biofilm formation. Compared to bactericidal and anti-adhesive surfaces, this dual-functional surface showed significantly improved antibiofilm performance to prevent biofilm formation involving both Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus for up to 3 days. In addition, both the copolymer and Qe are negligibly cytotoxic, thereby avoiding possible harmful effects on adjacent normal cells and the risk of bacterial resistance. This dual-functional design approach addresses the different stages of biofilm formation, and (in accordance with the growth process of the biofilm) allows sequential activation of the functions without compromising the viability of adjacent normal cells. A simple and reliable solution may thus be provided to the problems associated with biofilms on surfaces in various biomedical applications.

Inserting Menthoxytriazine into Poly(ethylene terephthalate) for Inhibiting Microbial Adhesion

“…Poly­(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been used in a wide range of applications due to its unique properties such as easy processing, good biocompatibility, and stable physical and chemical properties. − However, PET-based products often provide a “hotbed” for the growth of harmful microorganisms because of their poor antimicrobial properties . As human healthcare awareness has increased, there is great concern about the range of serious consequences caused by PET products, such as hospital- and device-associated infections caused by biofilms formed by pathogenic bacteria on implants and medical devices. − Therefore, it is urgent to develop new antimicrobial PET materials.…”

Surface modification of titanium substrate via combining photothermal therapy and quorum-sensing-inhibition strategy for improving osseointegration and treating biofilm-associated bacterial infection

“…However, Ti-M-L and Ti-M-L@C without NIR treatment showed high antibacterial activity, 81% and 77% antibacterial rates due to the release of LUT. LUT had an inhibitory effect on the adhesion and growth of bacteria because it affected the exchange of QS signals outside the bacteria, which hinders the self-protection mechanism of bacteria to a certain extent [ [43] , [44] , [45] ]. Furthermore, after NIR laser treatment, the antibacterial rates of Ti-M-L and Ti-M-L@C samples could reach 95.99% and 95.59%, respectively.…”

Inspired by the Periodontium: A Universal Bacteria-Defensive Hydrogel for Preventing Percutaneous Device-Related Infection

“…Taking a dental implant as an example, the frequency of peri-implantitis and soft tissue complications was up to 8.4% over five years and increased with the implantation operation time. , Bacterial adhesion and proliferation followed by biofilm formation cause a hosts’ inflammatory overexpression, which leads to the damage of surrounding tissue and disability of medical devices . A complicated interface composed of medical devices, surrounding tissue, and colonizing bacteria is the main dilemma with which most medical device-related diseases are confronted. − Existing strategies to solve the problem include constructing antifouling coatings on medical devices and/or employing antibacterial agents such as antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides, quaternary ammonium salts, etc. − However, tremendous challenges are brought to these strategies by the weak combining strength of coatings, emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, and limited efficiency of nonantibiotics antibacterial agents. − Therefore, developing a new kind of strategy that prevents bacterial infection and protects host tissue is an imperative requirement, and it will be beneficial for the long-term usage of various percutaneous devices.…”