Superparamagnetic iron oxide-encapsulating polymersome nanocarriers for biofilm eradication. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Geilich, Benjamin M.; Gelfat, Ilia; Sridhar, Srinivas; van de Ven, Anne L.; Webster, Thomas J.
• Is Part Of: Biomaterials. Volume 119(2017)
• Page Start: 78
• Page End: 85
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Biofilm -- Polymersome -- SPION -- Staphylococcus epidermidis -- Antibiotic-resistance -- Nanomedicine; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Biocompatible Materials -- Periodicals; Biomatériaux -- Périodiques; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.12.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-9612

Abstract

Abstract: The rising prevalence and severity of antibiotic-resistant biofilm infections poses an alarming threat to public health worldwide. Here, biocompatible multi-compartment nanocarriers were synthesized to contain both hydrophobic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and the hydrophilic antibiotic methicillin for the treatment of medical device-associated infections. SPION co-encapsulation was found to confer unique properties, enhancing both nanocarrier relaxivity and magneticity compared to individual SPIONs. These iron oxide-encapsulating polymersomes (IOPs) penetrated 20 μm thick Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms with high efficiency following the application of an external magnetic field. Three-dimensional laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed differential bacteria death as a function of drug and SPION loading. Complete eradication of all bacteria throughout the biofilm thickness was achieved using an optimized IOP formulation containing 40 μg/mL SPION and 20 μg/mL of methicillin. Importantly, this formulation was selectively toxic towards methicillin-resistant biofilm cells but not towards mammalian cells. These novel iron oxide-encapsulating polymersomes demonstrate that it is possible to overcome antibiotic-resistant biofilms by controlling the positioning of nanocarriers containing two or more therapeutics. Graphical abstract: