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Author Spotlight: Metallic Nanocomposites to Eliminate Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Published on: October 4, 2024
Multifunctional Copper-Containing Mesoporous Glass Nanoparticles as Antibacterial and Proangiogenic Agents for
Thomas E Paterson1, Alessandra Bari2, Anthony J Bullock3
1School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
The physiological wound healing process involves a cascade of events which could be affected by several factors resulting in chronic, non-healing wounds. The latter represent a great burden especially when bacterial biofilms are formed. The rise in antibiotic resistance amongst infectious microorganisms leads to the need of novel approaches to treat this clinical issue. In this context, the use of advanced biomaterials, which can enhance the physiological expression and secretion of the growth factors involved in the wound healing process, is gaining increasing attention as a robust and appealing alternative approach. Among them, mesoporous glasses are of particular interest due to their excellent textural properties and to the possibility of incorporating and releasing specific therapeutic species, such as metallic ions. One of the most attractive therapeutic ions is copper thanks to its proangiogenic and antibacterial effects. In this contribution, copper containing mesoporous glass nanoparticles were proposed as a multifunctional device to treat chronic wounds. The developed nanoparticles evidenced a very high specific surface area (740 m2/g), uniform pores of 4 nm and an almost total release of the therapeutic ion within 72 h of soaking. The produced nanoparticles were biocompatible and, when tested against Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial species, demonstrated antibacterial activity against both planktonic and biofilm bacteria in 2D cell monolayers, and in a 3D human model of infected skin. Their proangiogenic effect was tested with both the aortic ring and the chick chorioallantoic membrane assays and an increase in endothelial cell outgrowth at a concentration range between 30 and 300 ng/mL was shown. Overall, in this study biocompatible, multifunctional Cu-containing mesoporous glass nanoparticles were successfully produced and demonstrated to exert both antibacterial and proangiogenic effects.
Insights
Novel copper-containing mesoporous glass nanoparticles effectively treat chronic wounds by exhibiting strong antibacterial and proangiogenic effects. These biocompatible nanoparticles show promise for advanced wound healing applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Chronic wounds pose a significant clinical challenge, often complicated by antibiotic-resistant bacterial biofilms.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to overcome limitations of current treatments for non-healing wounds.
- Advanced biomaterials offer a promising avenue for enhancing wound healing by modulating growth factor expression and delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize multifunctional copper-containing mesoporous glass nanoparticles for chronic wound treatment.
- To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of these nanoparticles against planktonic and biofilm bacteria.
- To assess the proangiogenic potential of the nanoparticles in relevant biological models.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of copper-containing mesoporous glass nanoparticles with high surface area and uniform pores.
- In vitro testing of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in 2D and 3D models.
- In vivo assessment of proangiogenic effects using aortic ring and chick chorioallantoic membrane assays.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles exhibited a high specific surface area (740 m²/g) and rapid release of copper ions within 72 hours.
- Demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both planktonic and biofilm bacteria in various models.
- Showcased proangiogenic effects, promoting endothelial cell outgrowth at concentrations of 30-300 ng/mL.
Conclusions:
- Biocompatible, multifunctional copper-containing mesoporous glass nanoparticles were successfully fabricated.
- These nanoparticles possess potent antibacterial and proangiogenic properties, making them suitable for chronic wound management.
- The developed nanomaterial represents a promising therapeutic approach for addressing complex wound healing challenges.
