Structurally Engineered SO₂-Releasing Polymeric Nanoassembly for Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity.

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Antimicrobial Agents
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Cationic antimicrobial agents combat infections via membrane disruption.
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas therapy shows promise for treating bacterial infections.
• Current SO2 systems lack broad-spectrum efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel amphiphilic alternating copolymers (DAP) with cationic residues and thiol-responsive SO2-releasing moieties.
• To create self-assembling micellar nanoassemblies (DAP) for controlled SO2 release.
• To evaluate the antibacterial activity and mechanism of DAP nanoassemblies.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of amphiphilic alternating copolymers (DAP).
• Self-assembly of DAP into micellar nanoassemblies in aqueous environments.
• In vitro evaluation of biocompatibility and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
• Mechanistic studies involving membrane disruption and reactive oxygen species generation.

Main Results:

• DAP copolymers self-assembled into micellar nanoassemblies with exposed cationic residues and encapsulated SO2-releasing cores.
• DAP nanoassemblies demonstrated excellent biocompatibility.
• Broad-spectrum antibacterial activity was observed against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• Bacterial eradication was confirmed through membrane disruption and reactive oxygen species generation.

Conclusions:

• Novel SO2-releasing cationic polymers (DAP) effectively combat bacterial infections.
• DAP nanoassemblies offer a promising platform for broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy.
• The findings highlight the potential of combining cationic properties with SO2 release for enhanced antibacterial efficacy.