Fabrication of biocompatible and efficient antimicrobial porous polymer surfaces by the Breath Figures approach

Abstract

We designed and fabricated highly efficient and selective antibacterial substrates, i.e. surface non-cytotoxic against mammalian cells but exhibiting strong antibacterial activity. For that purpose, microporous substrates (pore sizes in the range of 3-5 m) were fabricated using the breath figures approach (BFs). These substrates have additionally a defined chemical composition in the pore cavity (herein either a poly(acrylic acid) or the antimicrobial peptide Nisin) while the composition of the rest of the surface is identical to the polymer matrix. As a result, considering the differences in size of bacteria (1-4 m) in comparison to mammalian cells (above 10 µm) the bacteria were able to enter in contact with the inner part of the pores where the antimicrobial functionality has been placed. On the opposite, mammalian cells remain in contact with the top surface thus preventing cytotoxic effects and enhancing the biocompatibility of the substrates. The resulting antimicrobial surfaces were exposed to Staphylococcus aureus as a model bacteria and murine endothelial C166-GFP cells. Superior antibacterial performance while maintaining an excellent biocompatibility was obtained by those surfaces prepared using PAA while no evidence of significant antibacterial activity was observed at those surfaces prepared using Nisin.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Bacterial Fouling-Resistance Properties of Polyethylene Glycol-Grafted Polyurethane Elastomers

“…More recently, research efforts have been focused on either the use of natural compounds with anti-biofilm properties [14][15][16][17], or on the development of intrinsically antimicrobial and antifouling materials, by either physical or chemical technological approaches [17][18][19][20]. Physical approaches mainly consist of developing micro-or nano-scale surface texturing in order to affect bacterial adhesiveness, growth, and more in general, biofilm formation [21][22][23][24]. Chemical approaches, instead, mainly involve the functionalization of material surfaces, to meet some criteria that are well-recognized to confer repelling activities, which include strong hydrophilicity, neutral charge, and the presence of groups that are able to establish hydrogen bonds [25].Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is undoubtedly, the most closely investigated antifouling polymer, as it meets all of the criteria listed above [26].…”

Formylated polystyrene for the fabrication of pore selective aldehyde group functionalized honeycomb patterned porous polystyrene films

“…Moreover, the block length control in block. The blending of PS with poly(poly‐(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate), PS‐b‐PAA, and poly(N, N‐dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate) will result in a change of polymer matrix affecting the polymer films from the original PS film properties.…”

“…In these case, the block length in the block copolymers influence the solubility, dispersion, and therefore, controlling the length of the block are challenging drawback for the synthesis through tedious reaction conditions . In some cases, blending of polystyrene (PS) with polyethylene oxide (PEO) has been considered as a more convenient method to obtain the pore selective functionalization compared with using the block copolymers alone …”

Wrinkling on Stimuli-Responsive Functional Polymer Surfaces as a Promising Strategy for the Preparation of Effective Antibacterial/Antibiofouling Surfaces

“…By regulating the surface’s microstructure and adherence strength via pH-responsive changes, it is possible to fabricate switchable surfaces suitable for variable applications, like tissue engineering and drug/contaminant release/adsorption. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that PAAc presents antimicrobial properties against some antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, often related to nosocomial infections [ 19 , 20 ]. Therefore, innovative material design approaches to achieve biologically active surfaces that prevent bacteria colonization are valuable in several biomedical-related fields [ 21 ].…”