Nanoantibiotics Based in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: New Formulations for Bacterial Infection Treatment

Abstract

This review focuses on the design of mesoporous silica nanoparticles for infection treatment. Written within a general context of contributions in the field, this manuscript highlights the major scientific achievements accomplished by professor Vallet-Regí’s research group in the field of silica-based mesoporous materials for drug delivery. The aim is to bring out her pivotal role on the envisage of a new era of nanoantibiotics by using a deep knowledge on mesoporous materials as drug delivery systems and by applying cutting-edge technologies to design and engineer advanced nanoweapons to fight infection. This review has been divided in two main sections: the first part overviews the influence of the textural and chemical properties of silica-based mesoporous materials on the loading and release of antibiotic molecules, depending on the host–guest interactions. Furthermore, this section also remarks on the potential of molecular modelling in the design and comprehension of the performance of these release systems. The second part describes the more recent advances in the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as versatile nanoplatforms for the development of novel targeted and stimuli-responsive antimicrobial nanoformulations for future application in personalized infection therapies.

Engineering mesoporous silica nanoparticles for drug delivery: where are we after two decades?

“…147,171–173 There are numerous research studies focused on the development and biomedical application of silica-based mesoporous matrices to host and release various antitumor, antimicrobial or other types of therapeutic agents. 171–175 The expansion and development of this type of studies were inspired by the pioneering research work of María Vallet-Regí's group on the MCM-41 material as a controlled delivery system with ibuprofen as the model drug. 9,10…”

“…Although stimuli-responsive MSN-based nanosystems have been widely exploited for antitumor therapy, their application in the treatment of bacterial infection is still at its infancy. 175,461,466,745–751…”

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Decorated Mesoporous Silica Nanosystem for Combined Antibiofilm Therapy

“…Among them, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) present attractive characteristics, such as their thermal/mechanical stability, adjustable pore Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 163 2 of 20 size, high surface area, biocompatibility, low toxicity, ease of functionalization and capacity to host molecules inside their pores [15][16][17]. Furthermore, engineered and innovative recent formulations based in MSNs are envisioned as new nanoantibiotics for bacterial infection treatment [18]. For example, the combination of different antimicrobial elements within the same nanoplatform, such as the targeted co-delivery of antibiotics [19], or the combination of antibiotics plus multiactive metal ions [20] have been reported as advanced strategies in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.…”

Core–Shell Nanoparticle Combined with Bacterial Targeting and Antibiotic Loading for Bacteria Tracing and Clearing

“…The crucial step in tracing bacteria is the selection of bacteriatracing agents, which include antibodies, [5] sugars, [6] antimicrobial peptides, [7] 67 Ga-citrate, radiolabeled leukocytes, and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). [8][9][10] Ubiquicidin (UBI) [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] , which contains six positive amino acids, is a synthetic cationic bactericidal peptide fragment and can preferentially bind to the anionic bacterial cell membranes accumulated at the site of infection. [11] Based on this mechanism, UBI 29-41 combined with 99m Tc, 68 Ga, or near-infrared fluorescent dye has been widely investigated for use in the diagnosis of infection or as a target to trace bacteria.…”

“…[11] Based on this mechanism, UBI 29-41 combined with 99m Tc, 68 Ga, or near-infrared fluorescent dye has been widely investigated for use in the diagnosis of infection or as a target to trace bacteria. [12][13][14] Recently, 99m Tc-UBI [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] has been investigated as an adjunct to bone scans to differentiate between infected and aseptic loosening of prostheses before revision surgery. [15][16][17][18] Traditional antibiotics still have many shortcomings in the treatment of infection-related diseases.…”