Modification of Silver-Loaded Biodegradable Polymer Nanoparticles with Bacterial Membrane Vesicles for Treating...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is an intracellular pathogen causing foodborne illness.
• S. Typhimurium survives and replicates within macrophages, posing a therapeutic challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate silver-loaded nanoparticles functionalized with S. Typhimurium membrane vesicles (MVs) for enhanced intracellular bacterial targeting.

Main Methods:

• Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were encapsulated in biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic) nanoparticles (Ag-P NPs).
• Ag-P NPs were surface-modified and fused with S. Typhimurium MVs to create Ag-PP@MV NPs.
• The efficacy of Ag-PP@MV NPs against intracellular S. Typhimurium was assessed.

Main Results:

• The MV-coated nanoparticles (Ag-PP@MV NPs) showed a protein profile similar to native MVs.
• These nanoparticles exhibited significant antibacterial activity against intracellular S. Typhimurium.
• Enhanced cellular uptake of MV-modified NPs improved their bactericidal efficacy within macrophages.

Conclusions:

• Surface modification with bacterial membrane vesicles is a promising strategy for improving nanoparticle delivery to macrophages.
• This approach enhances the therapeutic potential of nanoparticles for treating persistent intracellular bacterial infections like salmonellosis.