Nanocellulose as an Active Biointerface: Design Principles for Infection-Adaptive and Regenerative Biomaterials

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance and biofilms impede chronic wound healing.
• Current antibacterial dressings are often passive and lack adaptability to infection microenvironments.
• Nanocellulose (NC) possesses advantageous properties like high surface area and biocompatibility for therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of nanocellulose (NC)-based platforms for antibacterial and antibiofilm applications.
• To highlight NC composites engineered for targeted antimicrobial delivery in pathological microenvironments.
• To discuss the potential of NC derivatives in overcoming biofilm barriers and improving tissue healing.

Main Methods:

• Review of material design principles for NC composites, including morphology control and surface functionalization.
• Analysis of NC systems designed for selective antimicrobial release and biofilm disruption.
• Examination of NC applications in various infected tissues (skin, bone, diabetic foot ulcers, dental).

Main Results:

• Engineered NC composites demonstrate potential for disrupting mature biofilms and eliminating pathogenic bacteria.
• Functionalized NC enables localized antimicrobial agent release, minimizing systemic toxicity.
• NC-based hydrogels and scaffolds show promise as adaptable platforms for treating diverse infections.

Conclusions:

• Nanocellulose is a versatile matrix for developing advanced antibacterial and antibiofilm wound dressings.
• NC composites offer site-specific intervention strategies to combat resistant infections and enhance healing.
• NC-based materials represent a significant advancement towards next-generation, clinically relevant therapeutic platforms.