Biocompatible hierarchical zwitterionic polymer brushes with bacterial phosphatase activated antibacterial activity

Abstract

Hierarchical polymer brushes have been considered as an effective and promising method for preventing implant-associated infections via multiple antibacterial mechanisms. Herein, a bacterial phosphatase responsive surface with hierarchical zwitterionic structures was developed for timely dealing with the polymeric implant-associated bacterial infection. The hierarchical polymeric architecture was subtly realized on model polypropylene (PP) substrate by sequential photo living grafting of poly (2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA) bottom layer and zwitterionic poly (sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSBMA) upper layer, followed by the conversion of the PDMAEMA into the zwitterionic structure via successive quaternization and phosphorylation reactions. Owing to shielding the bottom polycations, the hierarchical zwitterionic polymer brushes guaranteed the surface with the optimal biocompatibility under the normal physiological environment. Once bacteria are invaded, the surface bactericidal activity of the bottom layer can be rapidly and automatically activated owing to the transition triggered by bacterial phosphatase from zwitterion to polycation. Additionally, ameliorated by the upper layer, the hierarchical surface showed obvious adhesion resistance to dead bacterial cells and notably migrated the cytotoxicity of exposed polycation after completion of the bactericidal task. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, this self-adaptive hierarchical surface with sensitive bacterial responsiveness and biocompatibility showed great potential in combating hernia mesh-related infection. This work provides a promising and universal strategy for the on-demand prevention of medical device-associated infections.