Nanosized Building Blocks for Customizing Novel Antibiofilm Approaches

Abstract

Recent advances in nanotechnology provide unparalleled flexibility to control the composition, size, shape, surface chemistry, and functionality of materials. Currently available engineering approaches allow precise synthesis of nanocompounds (e.g., nanoparticles, nanostructures, nanocrystals) with both top-down and bottom-up design principles at the submicron level. In this context, these "nanoelements" (NEs) or "nanosized building blocks" can 1) generate new nanocomposites with antibiofilm properties or 2) be used to coat existing surfaces (e.g., teeth) and exogenously introduced surfaces (e.g., restorative or implant materials) for prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Furthermore, functionalized NEs 3) can be conceived as nanoparticles to carry and selectively release antimicrobial agents after attachment or within oral biofilms, resulting in their disruption. The latter mechanism includes "smart release" of agents when triggered by pathogenic microenvironments (e.g., acidic pH or low oxygen levels) for localized and controlled drug delivery to simultaneously kill bacteria and dismantle the biofilm matrix. Here we discuss inorganic, metallic, polymeric, and carbon-based NEs for their outstanding chemical flexibility, stability, and antibiofilm properties manifested when converted into bioactive materials, assembled on-site or delivered at biofilm-surface interfaces. Details are provided on the emerging concept of the rational design of NEs and recent technological breakthroughs for the development of a new generation of nanocoatings or functional nanoparticles for biofilm control in the oral cavity.

Targeting microbial biofilms: current and prospective therapeutic strategies

“…To use these surfaces in biomedical applications, modern surface design has been largely driven by top-down methods such as lithography, imprinting and others 121 to produce a vast array of antibacterial coatings, including but not limited to, silver, copper, titanium dioxide and chitosan. Furthermore, emerging bottom-up approaches using nanomaterials as ‘building blocks’ 122 and surface attachment and immobilization of biomolecules, including antimicrobial peptides or proteins and polysaccharides 123,124 , have also resulted in the development of antibacterial surface coatings. Moreover, the unexpected discovery that certain bacterial polysaccharides can inhibit biofilm formation 124 , has led to the development of strategies to counter biofilm formation‥ Hyaluronic acid (which is one of the most studied polysaccharides) reduced the adhesion of S. aureus to hyaluronic acid-coated titanium surfaces 125 and poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses 126 .…”

Evolving Technologies and Strategies for Combating Antibacterial Resistance in the Advent of the Postantibiotic Era

“…NP depositing on surfaces can provide different mechanisms of action, as illustrated with the possible architectures of NP to serve for these therapies in Figure . NP deposition can be carried out via physical or chemical deposition routes, the choice of which will have an impact on the extent of antibacterial effect duration 138…”

Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Oral Biofilms: Current State, Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Prospects

“…However, these methods can be effective when applied to nanosized antibiotic coatings. A possible reason is that the small size, good dispersibility, and binding affinity with oral substrates (e.g., electrostatic or covalent bonds, or hydrophobic interactions) of nanoparticles overcomes coating deterioration and dissolution.…”

“…In addition, nanoparticles can mediate EPS matrix degradation through an enzyme‐like activity which causes the biofilm to disperse, i.e., the bacteria are separated from the biofilm and are thus in a free‐floating state. Bacteria dispersed from biofilms lose the inherent protection of biofilm colonies, and the interaction between bacteria in the biofilm is also destroyed.…”

“…Because of their excellent designability, nanoparticles can be customized to act as smart release carriers by adjusting their structure and surface properties to target key components, or the specific pathogenic microenvironment of an oral biofilm, with minimal off‐target effects . Lipid and polymer nanoparticles are the most widely used for drug delivery and are considered to be promising strategy for overcoming biofilm resistance …”