Hyaluronidase-Responsive MSN-HA Coatings for Infection-Triggered Antibiotic Delivery on Titanium Surfaces

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Implant-associated infections are a significant clinical problem.
• Conventional coatings suffer from uncontrolled antibiotic release and promote biofilm formation.
• Novel strategies are needed for localized and on-demand antibiotic delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an enzyme-responsive nanoparticle coating for titanium implants.
• To enable localized and on-demand antibiotic delivery to combat implant-associated infections.
• To create a smart surface modification that reduces bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized hyaluronic acid-coated, ciprofloxacin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-CIP-HA).
• Deposited MSN-CIP-HA onto titanium substrates using electrophoretic deposition (EPD).
• Characterized nanoparticle and surface properties, and evaluated drug release under various pH and enzyme conditions. Assessed antibacterial performance against E. coli and S. aureus.

Main Results:

• The MSN-CIP-HA coating demonstrated effective ciprofloxacin release triggered by hyaluronidase, particularly under infection-mimicking acidic conditions.
• Drug release increased significantly in the presence of hyaluronidase, confirming enzyme-responsive degradation of the hyaluronic acid layer.
• Coated surfaces exhibited reduced bacterial adhesion and enhanced antibacterial efficacy, especially under enzyme-responsive conditions.

Conclusions:

• The developed HA-coated MSN coating acts as a smart implant surface modification.
• It provides anti-adhesive properties and controlled, infection-triggered antibiotic release.
• This approach has potential for reducing implant-associated infections and biofilm formation.