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Published on: December 3, 2020
Reduced medical infection related bacterial strains adhesion on bioactive RGD modified titanium surfaces: a first
R R Maddikeri1, S Tosatti, M Schuler
1Bio-Performance of Materials & Devices, AO Research Institute, AO Foundation, Davos, Switzerland.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
|July 10, 2007
Summary
Poly(L-lysine)-grafted-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG) coatings significantly reduce bacterial adhesion on titanium surfaces. These surfaces selectively promote desirable cell adhesion while inhibiting bacterial colonization, offering a promising strategy for medical implants.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Medical implants require surfaces that prevent bacterial adhesion and protein adsorption.
- Poly(L-lysine)-grafted-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG) polymers reduce nonspecific protein and cell adhesion on metal oxide surfaces.
- Functionalization with RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptides can restore specific cell adhesion while maintaining resistance to protein adsorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of PLL-g-PEG and RGD-functionalized PLL-g-PEG coatings on the adhesion of implant-associated bacteria, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- To evaluate the efficacy of these surface chemistries in preventing bacterial colonization on titanium (Ti) surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Titanium surfaces were coated with PLL-g-PEG and RGD-functionalized PLL-g-PEG.
- Coated and uncoated Ti surfaces were exposed to Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 1-24 hours.
- Bacterial surface density was quantified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence light microscopy (FM).
Main Results:
- PLL-g-PEG coatings, even with RGD functionalization, significantly reduced the adhesion of all tested bacterial strains on Ti surfaces.
- Bacterial adhesion reduction ranged from 88% to 98% over a 24-hour period, depending on the bacterial species.
- The coatings effectively inhibited bacterial attachment while allowing for desirable cell adhesion.
Conclusions:
- Coating medical implant surfaces with PLL-g-PEG/PEG-RGD creates a selective biointeractive pattern.
- This approach promotes host cell attachment (e.g., fibroblasts, osteoblasts) while preventing bacterial colonization.
- This strategy holds significant potential for developing advanced medical implants with improved biocompatibility and reduced infection risk.
