Microgalvanic and Cuprotosis-like-Mediated Dual Engineered Metabolic Interference Strategy to Combat...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Infectious Disease Research
• Surface Science

Background:

• Implant-associated infections pose a significant challenge to clinical success.
• Current antimicrobial films face issues like detachment and non-specific cell toxicity.
• Bacterial energy metabolism pathways (electron transport chain and tricarboxylic acid cycle) are critical for survival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, non-detachable antimicrobial surface modification for implants.
• To target bacterial energy metabolism via a dual-pathway interference strategy.
• To enhance implant biocompatibility and reduce infection risk.

Main Methods:

• Engineered ion implantation of copper and hydrogen ions onto nickel-titanium alloy surfaces.
• Formation of a Cu-Ni microgalvanic system to disrupt bacterial electron transport chain (ETC).
• Intracellular release of copper ions to induce cuprotosis-like cell death and inhibit the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle.

Main Results:

• A non-detachable, interface-free modified layer was successfully created.
• The modified surface demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against implant-associated infections in a rat model.
• The coating facilitated rapid surface endothelialization, indicating improved biocompatibility.
• Disruption of bacterial ETC and TCA cycle, leading to inhibited adenosine triphosphate synthesis and impaired metabolism.

Conclusions:

• The engineered dual-pathway interference strategy effectively targets bacterial energy metabolism.
• This approach offers a promising method for preventing implant-associated infections.
• The modified surface exhibits both antibacterial properties and enhanced endothelialization for improved implant outcomes.