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pH-Triggered Size-Transformable and Bioactivity-Switchable Self-Assembling Chimeric Peptide Nanoassemblies for
Peng Tan1, Chenchen Wu2,3, Qi Tang1
1State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|May 5, 2023
Summary
New peptide nanoassemblies transform in acidic environments, improving penetration into biofilms to combat drug-resistant bacteria. This breakthrough enhances treatment for challenging infections in medicine and animal husbandry.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Diseases
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Drug-resistant bacteria and biofilm infections pose significant threats to human and animal health.
- Existing nanomaterials face challenges in penetrating and retaining within biofilms due to size and charge limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design self-assembling chimeric peptide nanoassemblies for treating drug-resistant bacteria and biofilm infections.
- To overcome the limitations of current nanomaterials in biofilm penetration and efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Chimeric peptides were designed to self-assemble into nanofibers at neutral pH (7.4) and transform into nanoparticles at acidic pH (5.0).
- The transformation involves size reduction and charge increase, facilitating biofilm penetration.
- Mechanism of action involves membrane cleavage of drug-resistant bacteria.
Main Results:
- Peptide nanoassemblies demonstrated improved penetration into bacterial biofilms.
- Effective killing of drug-resistant bacteria was observed, primarily through membrane cleavage.
- In vivo studies in mouse and piglet models confirmed reduced bacterial load in biofilms.
Conclusions:
- Pathological-environment-driven nanostructural transformations offer a novel strategy for designing high-performance antibacterial nanomaterials.
- This approach advances the application of peptide-based nanomaterials in medicine and animal husbandry for combating resistant infections.
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