skip to main content


Title: Influence of poly‐ l ‐lysine molecular weight on antibacterial efficacy in polymer multilayer films
Abstract

Antibacterial coatings can prevent and treat medical device‐associated infections. We examined the antibacterial properties of coatings assembled from poly‐l‐lysine (PLL) and hyaluronic acid (HA). PLL/HA films were fabricated using layer‐by‐layer assembly with three different PLL MWs, differentiated by number of repeat units, that is, 33, 91, and 407 (denoted by PLL30, PLL90, and PLL400). Films assembled with all three PLL MWs completely inhibited the growth of planktonic, gram‐positiveStaphylococcus aureusand methicillin‐resistantS. aureusand gram‐negativePseudomonas aeruginosaandEscherichia coliover a 24‐h exposure. All three film architectures also inhibitedS. aureusattachment by ~60–70% compared to non‐film‐coated surfaces, likely attributed to significant film hydration and electrostatic repulsion due to HA. The true differences in antibacterial efficacy between different PLL MWs were observed upon repeated exposure of PLL/HA toS. aureusevery 24 h. We found that PLL400films lost the ability to inhibit planktonicS. aureusgrowth after one use while PLL30and PLL90films were effective over 4–5 and 9–13 repeated exposures, respectively. Our experiments indicated that differences in efficacy were related to low in‐film mobility of PLL400and also agreed with dissolution timescales for PLL30and PLL90films. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1324–1339, 2019.

 
more » « less
NSF-PAR ID:
10461254
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A
Volume:
107
Issue:
6
ISSN:
1549-3296
Page Range / eLocation ID:
p. 1324-1339
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Abstract

    Each year, thousands of patients die from antimicrobial‐resistant bacterial infections that fail to respond to conventional antibiotic treatment. Antimicrobial polymers are a promising new method of combating antibiotic‐resistant bacterial infections. We have previously reported the synthesis of a series of narrow‐spectrum peptidomimetic antimicrobial polyurethanes that are effective against Gram‐negative bacteria, such asEscherichia coli; however, these polymers are not effective against Gram‐positive bacteria, such asStaphylococcus aureus. With the aim of understanding the correlation between chemical structure and antibacterial activity, we have subsequently developed three structural variants of these antimicrobial polyurethanes using post‐polymerization modification with decanoic acid and oleic acid. Our results show that such modifications converted the narrow‐spectrum antibacterial activity of these polymers into broad‐spectrum activity against Gram‐positive species such asS. aureus, however, also increasing their toxicity to mammalian cells. Mechanistic studies of bacterial membrane disruption illustrate the differences in antibacterial action between the various polymers. The results demonstrate the challenge of balancing antimicrobial activity and mammalian cell compatibility in the design of antimicrobial polymer compositions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

     
    more » « less
  2. Abstract Practitioner Points

    Staphylococcus aureusconcentrations, survival, and persistence were assessed in environmental fresh and brackish waters.

    Experimental design preserved in situ conditions to measureS. aureussurvival.

    Higher initialS. aureusconcentrations were observed in fresh waters with elevated turbidity, while sustained persistence was greater in brackish waters.

    Water turbidity and salinity were both positively associated withS. aureusconcentrations and persistence.

    Climate change leads to more intense rainfall events which increase water turbidity and pathogen loading, heightening the exposure risk toS. aureus.

     
    more » « less
  3. Summary

    We investigated the molecular basis and physiological implications of anion transport during pollen tube (PT) growth inArabidopsis thaliana(Col‐0).

    Patch‐clamp whole‐cell configuration analysis of pollen grain protoplasts revealed three subpopulations of anionic currents differentially regulated by cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]cyt). We investigated the pollen‐expressed proteinsAtSLAH3,AtALMT12,AtTMEM16 andAtCCCas the putative anion transporters responsible for these currents.

    AtCCCGFPwas observed at the shank andAtSLAH3‐GFPat the tip and shank of thePTplasma membrane. Both are likely to carry the majority of anion current at negative potentials, as extracellular anionic fluxes measured at the tip ofPTs with an anion vibrating probe were significantly lower inslah3−/−andccc−/−mutants, but unaffected inalmt12−/−andtmem16−/−. We further characterised the effect ofpHandGABAby patch clamp. Strong regulation by extracellularpHwas observed in the wild‐type, but not intmem16−/−. Our results are compatible withAtTMEM16 functioning as an anion/H+cotransporter and therefore, as a putativepHsensor.GABApresence: (1) inhibited the overall currents, an effect that is abrogated in thealmt12−/−and (2) reduced the current inAtALMT12 transfectedCOS‐7 cells, strongly suggesting the direct interaction ofGABAwithAtALMT12.

    Our data show thatAtSLAH3 andAtCCCactivity is sufficient to explain the major component of extracellular anion fluxes, and unveils a possible regulatory system linkingPTgrowth modulation bypH,GABA, and [Ca2+]cytthrough anionic transporters.

     
    more » « less
  4. Summary

    The evolution oflDOPA4,5‐dioxygenase activity, encoded by the geneDODA, was a key step in the origin of betalain biosynthesis in Caryophyllales. We previously proposed thatlDOPA4,5‐dioxygenase activity evolved via a single Caryophyllales‐specific neofunctionalisation event within theDODAgene lineage. However, this neofunctionalisation event has not been confirmed and theDODAgene lineage exhibits numerous gene duplication events, whose evolutionary significance is unclear.

    To address this, we functionally characterised 23 distinctDODAproteins forlDOPA4,5‐dioxygenase activity, from four betalain‐pigmented and five anthocyanin‐pigmented species, representing key evolutionary transitions across Caryophyllales. By mapping these functional data to an updatedDODAphylogeny, we then explored the evolution oflDOPA4,5‐dioxygenase activity.

    We find that lowlDOPA4,5‐dioxygenase activity is distributed across theDODAgene lineage. In this context, repeated gene duplication events within theDODAgene lineage give rise to polyphyletic occurrences of elevatedlDOPA4,5‐dioxygenase activity, accompanied by convergent shifts in key functional residues and distinct genomic patterns of micro‐synteny.

    In the context of an updated organismal phylogeny and newly inferred pigment reconstructions, we argue that repeated convergent acquisition of elevatedlDOPA4,5‐dioxygenase activity is consistent with recurrent specialisation to betalain synthesis in Caryophyllales.

     
    more » « less
  5. Abstract

    The diversity and distribution of marine species in eastern Australia is influenced by one of the world's strongest western boundary currents, the East Australia Current, which propels water and propagules poleward, a flow intensifying due to climate change.

    Population genetic structure of the asterinid sea starMeridiastra calcarwas investigated across its range in eastern Australia (12° of latitude, 2,500 km) from northern New South Wales to its poleward‐extending range in Tasmania at the southern edge influence of the East Australia Current.

    Population structure and connectivity ofM. calcarwere examined across six bioregions using six microsatellite loci (nuclear DNA) and the control region (mitochondrial DNA). The potential influence of the extent ofM. calcar's intertidal rock platform habitat was also assessed.

    Genetic structure analysis indicated that the Hawkesbury Shelf contained distinct genetic clusters, whereas the two sites in the Batemans Shelf differed from each other, with Jervis Bay Marine Park having just one genetic cluster. The Manning Shelf, Twofold Shelf, and Bruny bioregions all had similar genetic composition.

    Strong self‐seeding (68–98%) was indicated by microsatellite loci for all bioregions, with lower (0.3–6.5%) migration between bioregions. Poleward (New South Wales to Tasmania) migration was low except from the Manning Shelf (30%).

    Contemporary population connectivity and genetic structure ofM. calcarappear to be influenced by ocean currents, habitat distribution, and its short planktonic larval duration, which was a minimum of 12–14 days, depending on availability of a settlement cue.

    The dominance of unique genetic groups in the Hawkesbury bioregion shows the importance of this region forM. calcarand possibly a diversity of co‐distributed rock platform species. This highlights how important it is to have a large marine park in the Hawkesbury bioregion, which is presently lacking.

     
    more » « less