RESUMEN
The resistance developed by life-threatening bacteria toward conventional antibiotics has become a major concern in public health. To combat antibiotic resistance, there has been a significant interest in the development of antimicrobial cationic polymers due to the ease of synthesis and low manufacturing cost compared to host-defense peptides (HDPs). Herein, we report the design and synthesis of amphiphilic polycarbonates containing primary amino groups. These polymers exhibit potent antimicrobial activity and excellent selectivity to Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug resistant pathogens. Fluorescence and TEM studies suggest that these polymers are likely to kill bacteria by disrupting bacterial membranes. These polymers also show low tendency to elicit resistance in bacteria. Their further development may lead to new antimicrobial agents combating drug-resistance.
Asunto(s)
Antiinfecciosos/farmacología , Bacterias Grampositivas/efectos de los fármacos , Cemento de Policarboxilato/farmacología , Polímeros/farmacología , Antiinfecciosos/química , Humanos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Cemento de Policarboxilato/química , Polímeros/químicaRESUMEN
One of the biggest challenges in developing microRNA (miRNA) based therapeutics is the method of delivery. Herein we report the design and synthesis of mPEG-poly(amino acid)s, which we used as a novel nanocarrier for the delivery of miRNA-139-5p. The PEG-poly(amino acid)s/miRNA-139-5p nanoparticle complex is more effective at suppressing tumor growth and migration in mice with colorectal cancer than when treated with miRNA-139-5p solution and blank nanoparticles individually. Our results suggest that PEG-poly(amino acid)s are a promising non-viral gene vector for the delivery of miRNAs to treat cancers.