Interaction between Engineered Pluronic Silica Nanoparticles and Bacterial Biofilms: Elucidating the Role of Nanoparticle Surface Chemistry and EPS Matrix

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) are considered a promising tool in the context of biofilm control. Many studies have shown that different types of NPs can interfere with the bacterial metabolism and cellular membranes, thus making them potential antibacterial agents; however, fundamental understanding is still lacking on the exact mechanisms involved in these actions. The development of NP-based approaches for effective biofilm control also requires a thorough understanding of how the chosen nanoparticles will interact with the biofilm itself, and in particular with the biofilm self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix (EPS). This work aims to provide advances in the understanding of the interaction between engineered fluorescent pluronic silica (PluS) nanoparticles and bacterial biofilms, with a main focus on the role of the EPS matrix in the accumulation and diffusion of the particles in the biofilm. It is demonstrated that particle surface chemistry has a key role in the different lateral distribution and specific affinity to the biofilm matrix components. The results presented in this study contribute to our understanding of biofilm–NP interactions and promote the principle of the rational design of smart nanoparticles as an important tool for antibiofilm technology.

Carboxylated Nanoparticle Surfaces Enhance Association with Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms

“…The FDA gave sodium alginate a generally regarded as safe designation, and ALG was statistically insignificant as compared to PLK when comparing colocalization with biofilms produced by four of the five laboratory strains tested, including the mucoid mucA22 biofilm. These results suggest that the rational design of NP surface functionalization impacts accumulation within the EPS matrix , and potentially greater retention. More work quantifying biofilm viability using NPs encapsulating antibiotics that are sequestered by the matrix, such as aminoglycosides, is required to further validate the feasibility of these carriers.…”

Resveratrol-Encapsulated Glutathione-Modified Robust Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as an Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Coating Agent for Medical Devices

“…The entrapment of NPs in the biofilm for every well has been calculated by eq NP entrapment = I C − I N I normalC × 100 where I C is the fluorescence intensity of control and I N is the fluorescence intensity of NPs exposed to the biofilm. The overall nanomaterial entrapment in a biofilm can be estimated by evaluating the reduction in fluorescence intensity between NPs exposed to the biofilm and the control …”

GSH/pH Cascade-Responsive Nanoparticles Eliminate Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm via Synergistic Photo-Chemo Therapy

“…8−10 The dense extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in biofilms exceedingly hinder the internalization of antibiotics, and greatly weaken the antibacterial efficiency regardless of using high doses of antibiotics. 11,12 Additionally, the bacteria are willing to accumulate numerous acidic metabolites because of the hypoxia feature of biofilm. 13,14 These metabolites give rise to the formation of a specific inner microenvironment of biofilm, in which there is a gradiently increased acid concentration from the outside to the inside.…”

“…Bacterial infection is a major medical problem that threatens public health . Antibiotics are commonly used in the clinical treatment of bacterial infections. − However, their widespread use and misuse frequently facilitates bacterial drug resistance. − Moreover, the bacteria can further form biofilms. − The dense extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in biofilms exceedingly hinder the internalization of antibiotics, and greatly weaken the antibacterial efficiency regardless of using high doses of antibiotics. , Additionally, the bacteria are willing to accumulate numerous acidic metabolites because of the hypoxia feature of biofilm. , These metabolites give rise to the formation of a specific inner microenvironment of biofilm, in which there is a gradiently increased acid concentration from the outside to the inside . The hypoxic and slightly acidic environment, consequently, slows down bacterial metabolism and, thus, exacerbates bacterial tolerance to antibiotics. ,, Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an effective strategy to enhance the efficacy of antibiotics to achieve efficient eradication of drug-resistant bacteria and their biofilms at low doses.…”