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Nanoparticles: New Antimicrobial Agents
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Nanoparticles: New Antimicrobial Agents

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 14639

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Silvana Alfei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Section of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical and Food Technologies, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy
Interests: nanomaterials; dendrimers; macromolecules; hydrogels for biomedical and environmental applications; resins; polymeric drug delivery systems; organic synthesis; antibacterial and/or antitumor cationic macromolecules; solubilizing agents; cationic bola-amphiphiles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Both Gram-negative, Gram-positive pathogens and fungi are evolving as clinically relevant superbugs, due the incessant emergence of resistance to the most part of available antibiotics. Mimicking natural antimicrobial peptides (NAMPs), which have shown potent microbicidal effects and low tendency to develop resistance but are endowed with high haemolytic toxicity and low stability, more stable and low-cost cationic macromolecules, are continuously synthesized and tested on various pathogenic species, with the aim of reducing the incidence of fatal infections in both the general population and fragile individuals. Among cationic macromolecules, dendrimers are nonpareil compounds possessing highly controlled nanosized dimensions, spherical shape, and tree-like architecture. In addition to have proven intrinsic potent antibacterial effects, dendrimers with cationic surface, having contemporary inner cavities and hydrophilic peripheral functions, can encapsulate hydrophobic non-water-soluble antibacterial drugs to enhance their water-solubility, protect them from early inactivation, promote their protracted release, thus decreasing their systemic toxicity, and realizing a synergistic effect. Collectively, also polymer and copolymer nanoparticles are regarded as a promising strategy to achieve multifunctional materials, hybrid nanoparticles or nanocomposites possessing remarkable antimicrobial activities. Also, multifunctional nanoparticles, including dendrimers, polymers and copolymers offer the possibility to be further functionalized by linking target molecules or antibodies to improve their therapeutic efficacy, direct their effects and reduce their possible toxicity.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for molecular mechanistic research on new antimicrobial agents with a special focus on cationic antimicrobial materials and structural strategies. Furthermore, studies of formulations of the developed agents, characterized by antibacterial activity and low cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells, are welcome.

Dr. Silvana Alfei
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • multi-drug resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens

  • clinically relevant superbugs
  • severe and almost untreatable infections
  • immunocompromised individuals
  • synthetic antimicrobial cationic macromolecules
  • synthetic cationic dendrimers, polymers, and copolymers
  • polymerizing strategies
  • natural and synthetic polypeptides
  • amino-acid modified macromolecules
  • electrostatic interactions and membrane permeabilization
  • membrane disruptors
  • drug delivery systems

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1729 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial Effect of Acoustic Cavitation Promoted by Mesoporous Silicon Nanoparticles
by Andrey Sviridov, Svetlana Mazina, Anna Ostapenko, Alexander Nikolaev and Victor Timoshenko
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021065 - 5 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1890
Abstract
As-prepared mesoporous silicon nanoparticles, which were synthesized by electrochemical etching of crystalline silicon wafers followed by high-energy milling in water, were explored as a sonosensitizer in aqueous media under irradiation with low-intensity ultrasound at 0.88 MHz. Due to the mixed oxide-hydride coating of [...] Read more.
As-prepared mesoporous silicon nanoparticles, which were synthesized by electrochemical etching of crystalline silicon wafers followed by high-energy milling in water, were explored as a sonosensitizer in aqueous media under irradiation with low-intensity ultrasound at 0.88 MHz. Due to the mixed oxide-hydride coating of the nanoparticles’ surfaces, they showed both acceptable colloidal stability and sonosensitization of the acoustic cavitation. The latter was directly measured and quantified as a cavitation energy index, i.e., time integral of the magnitude of ultrasound subharmonics. The index turned out to be several times greater for nanoparticle suspensions as compared to pure water, and it depended nonmonotonically on nanoparticle concentration. In vitro tests with Lactobacillus casei revealed a dramatic drop of the bacterial viability and damage of the cells after ultrasonic irradiation with intensity of about 1 W/cm2 in the presence of nanoparticles, which themselves are almost non-toxic at the studied concentrations of about 1 mg/mL. The experimental results prove that nanoparticle-sensitized cavitation bubbles nearby bacteria can cause bacterial lysis and death. The sonosensitizing properties of freshly prepared mesoporous silicon nanoparticles are beneficial for their application in mild antibacterial therapy and treatment of liquid media. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: New Antimicrobial Agents)
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21 pages, 5440 KiB  
Article
Magneto-Fluorescent Mesoporous Nanocarriers for the Dual-Delivery of Ofloxacin and Doxorubicin to Tackle Opportunistic Bacterial Infections in Colorectal Cancer
by Gonçalo A. Marcelo, Joana Galhano, Tiago T. Robalo, Maria Margarida Cruz, María D. Marcos, Ramón Martínez-Máñez, Maria Paula Duarte, José Luis Capelo-Martínez, Carlos Lodeiro and Elisabete Oliveira
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12287; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012287 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2162
Abstract
Cancer-related opportunistic bacterial infections are one major barrier for successful clinical therapies, often correlated to the production of genotoxic factors and higher cancer incidence. Although dual anticancer and antimicrobial therapies are a growing therapeutic fashion, they still fall short when it comes to [...] Read more.
Cancer-related opportunistic bacterial infections are one major barrier for successful clinical therapies, often correlated to the production of genotoxic factors and higher cancer incidence. Although dual anticancer and antimicrobial therapies are a growing therapeutic fashion, they still fall short when it comes to specific delivery and local action in in vivo systems. Nanoparticles are seen as potential therapeutic vectors, be it by means of their intrinsic antibacterial properties and effective delivery capacity, or by means of their repeatedly reported modulation and maneuverability. Herein we report on the production of a biocompatible, antimicrobial magneto-fluorescent nanosystem (NANO3) for the delivery of a dual doxorubicin–ofloxacin formulation against cancer-related bacterial infections. The drug delivery capacity, rendered by its mesoporous silica matrix, is confirmed by the high loading capacity and stimuli-driven release of both drugs, with preference for tumor-like acidic media. The pH-dependent emission of its surface fluorescent SiQDs, provides an insight into NANO3 surface behavior and pore availability, with the SiQDs working as pore gates. Hyperthermia induces heat generation to febrile temperatures, doubling drug release. NANO3-loaded systems demonstrate significant antimicrobial activity, specifically after the application of hyperthermia conditions. NANO3 structure and antimicrobial properties confirm their potential use in a future dual anticancer and antimicrobial therapeutical vector, due to their drug loading capacity and their surface availability for further modification with bioactive, targeting species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: New Antimicrobial Agents)
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25 pages, 6320 KiB  
Article
Silver Nanoparticles Produced by Laser Ablation and Re-Irradiation Are Effective Preventing Peri-Implantitis Multispecies Biofilm Formation
by Ramón Pérez-Tanoira, Mónica Fernández-Arias, Carmen Potel, Raquel Carballo-Fernández, Sonia Pérez-Castro, Mohamed Boutinguiza, Miguel Górgolas, Fernando Lusquiños and Juan Pou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 12027; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231912027 - 10 Oct 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2734
Abstract
Implant-associated infection due to biofilm formation is a growing problem. Given that silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have shown antibacterial effects, our goal is to study their effect against multispecies biofilm involved in the development of peri-implantitis. To this purpose, Ag-NPs were synthesized by laser [...] Read more.
Implant-associated infection due to biofilm formation is a growing problem. Given that silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have shown antibacterial effects, our goal is to study their effect against multispecies biofilm involved in the development of peri-implantitis. To this purpose, Ag-NPs were synthesized by laser ablation in de-ionized water using two different lasers, leading to the production of colloidal suspensions. Subsequently, part of each suspension was subjected to irradiation one and three times with the same laser source with which it was obtained. Ag-NPs were immobilized on the surface of titanium discs and the resultant materials were compared with unmodified titanium coupons. Nanoparticles were physico-chemically analysed to determine their shape, crystallinity, chemical composition, and mean diameter. The materials were incubated for 90 min or 48 h, to evaluate bacterial adhesion or biofilm formation respectively with Staphylococcus aureus or oral mixed bacterial flora composed of Streptococcus oralis, Actinomyces naeslundii, Veionella dispar, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Ag-NPs help prevent the formation of biofilms both by S. aureus and by mixed oral bacterial flora. Nanoparticles re-irradiated three times showed the biggest antimicrobial effects. Modifying dental implants in this way could prevent the development of peri-implantitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: New Antimicrobial Agents)
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Review

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25 pages, 1558 KiB  
Review
Metallic Nanoparticles: A Promising Arsenal against Antimicrobial Resistance—Unraveling Mechanisms and Enhancing Medication Efficacy
by Shahid Wahab, Alishba Salman, Zaryab Khan, Sadia Khan, Chandran Krishnaraj and Soon-Il Yun
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(19), 14897; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241914897 - 4 Oct 2023
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3347
Abstract
The misuse of antibiotics and antimycotics accelerates the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, prompting the need for novel strategies to combat this global issue. Metallic nanoparticles have emerged as effective tools for combating various resistant microbes. Numerous studies have highlighted their potential in addressing [...] Read more.
The misuse of antibiotics and antimycotics accelerates the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, prompting the need for novel strategies to combat this global issue. Metallic nanoparticles have emerged as effective tools for combating various resistant microbes. Numerous studies have highlighted their potential in addressing antibiotic-resistant fungi and bacterial strains. Understanding the mechanisms of action of these nanoparticles, including iron-oxide, gold, zinc oxide, and silver is a central focus of research within the life science community. Various hypotheses have been proposed regarding how nanoparticles exert their effects. Some suggest direct targeting of microbial cell membranes, while others emphasize the release of ions from nanoparticles. The most compelling proposed antimicrobial mechanism of nanoparticles involves oxidative damage caused by nanoparticles-generated reactive oxygen species. This review aims to consolidate knowledge, discuss the properties and mechanisms of action of metallic nanoparticles, and underscore their potential as alternatives to enhance the efficacy of existing medications against infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: New Antimicrobial Agents)
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44 pages, 3020 KiB  
Review
Metallic Nanosystems in the Development of Antimicrobial Strategies with High Antimicrobial Activity and High Biocompatibility
by Karol Skłodowski, Sylwia Joanna Chmielewska-Deptuła, Ewelina Piktel, Przemysław Wolak, Tomasz Wollny and Robert Bucki
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2104; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032104 - 20 Jan 2023
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 3478
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a major and growing global problem and new approaches to combat infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacterial strains are needed. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to nanomedicine, which has great potential in the development of controlled systems [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance is a major and growing global problem and new approaches to combat infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacterial strains are needed. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to nanomedicine, which has great potential in the development of controlled systems for delivering drugs to specific sites and targeting specific cells, such as pathogenic microbes. There is continued interest in metallic nanoparticles and nanosystems based on metallic nanoparticles containing antimicrobial agents attached to their surface (core shell nanosystems), which offer unique properties, such as the ability to overcome microbial resistance, enhancing antimicrobial activity against both planktonic and biofilm embedded microorganisms, reducing cell toxicity and the possibility of reducing the dosage of antimicrobials. The current review presents the synergistic interactions within metallic nanoparticles by functionalizing their surface with appropriate agents, defining the core structure of metallic nanoparticles and their use in combination therapy to fight infections. Various approaches to modulate the biocompatibility of metallic nanoparticles to control their toxicity in future medical applications are also discussed, as well as their ability to induce resistance and their effects on the host microbiome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: New Antimicrobial Agents)
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