Versatility of targeted antibiotic-loaded gold nanoconstructs for the treatment of biofilm-associated bacterial infections
by Meeker, Daniel G.; Wang, Tengjiao; Harrington, Walter N.; Zharov, Vladimir P.; Johnson, Sarah A.; Jenkins, Samir V.; Oyibo, Stephanie E.; Walker, Christopher M.; Mills, Weston B.; Shirtliff, Mark E.; Beenken, Karen E.; Chen, Jingyi; Smeltzer, Mark S.
Background: We previously demonstrated that a photoactivatable therapeutic approach employing antibiotic-loaded, antibody-conjugated, polydopamine (PDA)-coated gold nanocages (AuNCs) could be used for the synergistic killing of bacterial cells within a biofilm. The approach was validated with a focus on Staphylococcus aureus using an antibody specific for staphylococcal protein A (Spa) and an antibiotic (daptomycin) active against Gram-positive cocci including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). However, an important aspect of this approach is its potential therapeutic versatility.Methods: In this report, we evaluated this versatility by examining the efficacy of AuNC formulations generated with alternative antibodies and antibiotics targeting S. aureus and alternative combinations targeting the Gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Results: The results confirmed that daptomycin-loaded AuNCs conjugated to antibodies targeting two different S. aureus lipoproteins (SACOL0486 and SACOL0688) also effectively kill MRSA in the context of a biofilm. However, our results also demonstrate that antibiotic choice is critical. Specifically, ceftaroline and vancomycin-loaded AuNCs conjugated to anti-Spa antibodies were found to exhibit reduced efficacy relative to daptomycin-loaded AuNCs conjugated to the same antibody. In contrast, gentamicin-loaded AuNCs conjugated to an antibody targeting a conserved outer membrane protein were highly effective against P. aeruginosa biofilms.Conclusions: These results confirm the therapeutic versatility of our approach. However, to the extent that its synergistic efficacy is dependent on the ability to achieve both a lethal photothermal effect and the thermally controlled release of a sufficient amount of antibiotic, they also demonstrate the importance of carefully designing appropriate antibody and antibiotic combinations to achieve the desired therapeutic synergy.
- Journal
- International Journal of Hyperthermia
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 2
- Year
- 2018
- Start Page
- 209-219
- URL
- https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02656736.2017.1392047
- ISBN/ISSN
- 1464-5157; 0265-6736
- DOI
- 10.1080/02656736.2017.1392047