Antibiotic activity of iron-sequestering polymers.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Antimicrobial Research
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
• Iron is crucial for bacterial infections, but iron chelators have variable efficacy.
• Multivalent polymers offer a high-avidity approach to iron sequestration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a biomimetic iron-sequestering polymer (PAI-DHBA).
• To evaluate the polymer's efficacy in inhibiting bacterial growth and enhancing antibiotic activity.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of cross-linked polyallylamine (cPAI) modified with 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA).
• Assessment of polymer iron affinity and selectivity.
• Testing of polymer antimicrobial properties and adjuvant effects with antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Main Results:

• PAI-DHBA polymers demonstrated high iron affinity and selectivity.
• The polymer exhibited mild intrinsic antibiotic properties.
• PAI-DHBA effectively inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth by removing iron from media and potentiated antibiotic efficacy.

Conclusions:

• PAI-DHBA is a promising biomimetic polymer for sequestering iron.
• This polymer can serve as an early intervention or adjuvant therapy to combat bacterial infections.
• Multivalent polymers offer a novel strategy to overcome antibiotic resistance.