Laser deposition of poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) - lysozyme microspheres based coatings with anti-microbial properties.

The purpose of this study was to obtain, characterize and evaluate the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of coatings based on poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) - Lysozyme (P(3HB-3HV)/Lys) and P(3HB-3HV) - Polyethylene glycol - Lysozyme (P(3HB-3HV)/PEG/Lys) spheres prepared by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique, in order to obtain functional and improved Ti-based implants. Morphological investigation of the coatings by Infrared Microscopy (IRM) and SEM revealed that the average diameter of P(3HB-3HV)/Lys spheres is around 2µm and unlike the drop cast samples, IRM recorded on MAPLE films revealed a good distribution of monitored functional groups on the entire scanned surface. The biological evaluation of MAPLE structured surfaces revealed an improved biocompatibility with respect to osteoblasts and endothelial cells as compared with Ti substrates and an enhanced anti-biofilm effect against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) tested strains. Thus, we propose that the fabricated P(3HB-3HV)/PEG/Lys and P(3HB-3HV)/Lys microspheres may be efficiently used as a matrix for controlled local drug delivery, with practical applications in developing improved medical surfaces for the reduction of implant-associated infections.

Usnic acid-loaded biocompatible magnetic PLGA-PVA microsphere thin films fabricated by MAPLE with increased resistance to staphylococcal colonization.

Due to their persistence and resistance to the current therapeutic approaches, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm-associated infections represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the hospital environment. Since (+)-usnic acid (UA), a secondary lichen metabolite, possesses antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive cocci, including S. aureus, the aim of this study was to load magnetic polylactic-co-glycolic acid-polyvinyl alcohol (PLGA-PVA) microspheres with UA, then to obtain thin coatings using matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation and to quantitatively assess the capacity of the bio-nano-active modified surface to control biofilm formation by S. aureus, using a culture-based assay. The UA-loaded microspheres inhibited both the initial attachment of S. aureus to the coated surfaces, as well as the development of mature biofilms. In vitro bioevalution tests performed on the fabricated thin films revealed great biocompatibility, which may endorse them as competitive candidates for the development of improved non-toxic surfaces resistant to S. aureus colonization and as scaffolds for stem cell cultivation and tissue engineering.