Abstract
Wound dressings based on bacterial cellulose (BC) can form a soft and conformable protective layer that can stimulate wound healing while preventing bacteria from entering the wound. Bacteria already present in the wound can, however, thrive in the moist environment created by the BC dressing which can aggravate the healing process. Possibilities to render the BC antimicrobial without affecting the beneficial structural and mechanical properties of the material would hence be highly attractive. Here we present methods for functionalization of BC with ε-poly-L-Lysine (ε-PLL), a non-toxic biopolymer with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Low molecular weight ε-PLL was cross-linked in pristine BC membranes and to carboxymethyl cellulose functionalized BC using carbodiimide chemistry. The functionalization of BC with ε-PLL inhibited growth of S. epidermidis on the membranes but did not affect the cytocompatibility to cultured human fibroblasts as compared to native BC. The functionalization had no significant effects on the nanofibrous structure and mechanical properties of the BC. The possibility to functionalize BC with ε-PLL is a promising, green and versatile approach to improve the performance of BC in wound care and other biomedical applications.
Highlights
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinus and to a certain extent by some other bacteria [1]
antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an integral part of the first line of host defense against infections in a wide variety of organisms and can show broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity [21, 22]. ε-poly-L-Lysine (ε-PLL) is an AMP produced by e.g. Streptomyces albulus [23]. ε-PLL is non-toxic to humans, water soluble and biodegradable, and utilized as a food preservative [24, 25]. ε-PLL adsorbs to, and disrupts the integrity of, the bacterial cell membrane, which in addition to effectively killing the bacteria reduces the risk for development of resistance [26]. ε-PLL is an attractive candidate in the search for novel strategies to combat infections, especially in wound care applications and in combination with bacterial cellulose (BC) since a high active concentration of the antimicrobial agents can be provide locally in the wound [27]
As a second approach we investigated the possibility to cross-link the ε-PLL within the BC meshwork using carbodiimide chemistry to form a stable interpenetrating network (IPN)
Summary
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinus (more recently reclassified as Komagataeibacter xylinus) and to a certain extent by some other bacteria [1]. The alarming problems with antibiotic resistance and the fact that most antiseptic compounds (e.g. iodine) can have a negative impact on the healing process leaves much to be desired in creating an optimal treatment for infected patients [19]. Ε-PLL adsorbs to, and disrupts the integrity of, the bacterial cell membrane, which in addition to effectively killing the bacteria reduces the risk for development of resistance [26]. Ε-PLL is an attractive candidate in the search for novel strategies to combat infections, especially in wound care applications and in combination with BC since a high active concentration of the antimicrobial agents can be provide locally in the wound [27] AMPs are an integral part of the first line of host defense against infections in a wide variety of organisms and can show broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity [21, 22]. ε-poly-L-Lysine (ε-PLL) is an AMP produced by e.g. Streptomyces albulus [23]. ε-PLL is non-toxic to humans, water soluble and biodegradable, and utilized as a food preservative [24, 25]. ε-PLL adsorbs to, and disrupts the integrity of, the bacterial cell membrane, which in addition to effectively killing the bacteria reduces the risk for development of resistance [26]. ε-PLL is an attractive candidate in the search for novel strategies to combat infections, especially in wound care applications and in combination with BC since a high active concentration of the antimicrobial agents can be provide locally in the wound [27]
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