Multifunctional nano‐biointerfaces: cytocompatible antimicrobial nanocarriers from stabilizer‐free cubosomes

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201904007

Authors: Mahsa Zabara (Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) , Berna Senturk (Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) , Mark Gontsarik (Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) , Qun Ren (Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) , Markus Rottmar (Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) , Katharina Maniura‐weber (Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) , Raffaele Mezzenga (ETH Zurich) , Sreenath Bolisetty (ETH Zurich) , Stefan Salentinig (Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Advanced Functional Materials , VOL 2

State: Published (Approved)
Published: July 2019

Abstract: The rational design of alternative antimicrobial materials with reduced toxicity toward mammalian cells is highly desired due to the growing occurrence of bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics. A promising approach is the design of lipid‐based antimicrobial nanocarriers. However, most of the commonly used polymer‐stabilized nanocarriers are cytotoxic. Herein, the design of a novel, stabilizer‐free nanocarrier for the human cathelicidin derived antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 that is cytocompatible and promotes cell proliferation for improved wound healing is reported. The nanocarrier is formed through the spontaneous integration of LL‐37 into novel, stabilizer‐free glycerol mono‐oleate (GMO)‐based cubosomes. Transformations in the internal structure of the cubosomes from Pn3m to Im3m‐type and eventually their transition into small vesicles and spherical micelles are demonstrated upon the encapsulation of LL‐37 into their internal bicontinuous cubic structure using small angle X‐ray scattering, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and light scattering techniques. Additional in vitro biological assays show the antimicrobial activity of the stabilizer‐free nano‐objects on a variety of bacteria strains, their cytocompatibility, and cell‐proliferation enhancing effect. The results outline a promising strategy for the comprehensive design of antimicrobial, cytocompatible lipid nanocarriers for the protection and delivery of bioactive molecules with potential for application as advanced wound healing materials.

Journal Keywords: antibacterial nanocarriers; antimicrobial peptides; cell proliferation; SAXS; stabilizer‐free cubosomes

Diamond Keywords: Bacteria

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials, Materials, Medicine


Instruments: I22-Small angle scattering & Diffraction

Added On: 17/07/2019 08:49

Discipline Tags:

Drug Delivery Pathogens Antibiotic Resistance Infectious Diseases Biomaterials Health & Wellbeing Soft condensed matter physics Materials Science Nanoscience/Nanotechnology Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Scattering Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)