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Stimulus-Responsive Polyzwitterionic Surfaces Made from Itaconic Acid: Self-Triggered Antimicrobial Activity, Protein
Alexandra Schneider-Chaabane1, Vera Bleicher1, Sibylle Rau2
1Bioactive Polymer Synthesis and Surface Engineering Group, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) and Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|December 12, 2019
Summary
Novel polyzwitterions are synthesized and attached to surfaces using UV light. These coatings repel proteins but attract cells and kill bacteria, demonstrating unique stimulus-responsive antimicrobial properties.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Zwitterionic polymers are known for their protein repellency.
- Developing functional biomaterials with multiple properties remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel cross-linkable polyzwitterions.
- To create surface-attached polyzwitterion networks with tunable properties.
- To investigate their biological interactions and antimicrobial activity.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a functional monomer from itaconic acid.
- Copolymerization with dimethyl acrylamide and 4-methacryloyloxybenzophenone.
- UV-triggered C,H insertion for surface attachment.
- Surface characterization using SPR spectroscopy and ζ potential measurements.
- Biological assays for protein repellency, cell adhesion, and antimicrobial activity.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized cross-linkable polyzwitterions and formed surface-attached networks.
- Polyzwitterion coatings demonstrated protein repellency.
- Coatings unexpectedly showed cell adhesion and potent antimicrobial activity.
- Stimulus-responsive behavior confirmed by pH-dependent ζ potential changes.
Conclusions:
- The developed polyzwitterion networks exhibit a unique combination of protein repellency, cell adhesion, and antimicrobial activity.
- Stimulus-responsiveness allows for pH-dependent charge adjustment, leading to polycationic antimicrobial action.
- These materials show potential as advanced biomimetic surfaces and antimicrobial coatings.
