Engineered Polymer Nanoemulsions for Treatment of Wound Biofilm Infections

Project Summary Engineered Polymer Nanoemulsions for Treatment of Wound Biofilm Infections The goal of the proposed research to create new therapeutics targeting multidrug-resistant biofilm infections. These infections are difficult to treat. The refractory nature of biofilm infections make them non-responsive to standard antibiotics, a situation exacerbated by acquired antibacterial resistance. In our research, we have integrated the nanomedicine capabilities of Rotello with wound biofilm expertise of Patel to develop crosslinked nanoemulsions (XNEs) that use a crosslinked polymer network to stabilize nanodroplets of essential oils. These XNEs kill biofilm-based bacteria with minimal effects on host cells and can eradicate biofilms through incorporation of antimicrobials into the oil component of the XNE. XNEs have good efficacy (killing ≥99% of bacteria in biofilms) using the in vivo wound biofilm model developed by Patel. Consistent with other antimicrobial nanomaterials, however, killing is less effective in vivo than in vitro. In our proposed research, Rotello will develop new block copolymers to generate block copolymer XNE (B-XNE) therapeutics. The B-XNEs will then be incorporated into hydrogel wound dressings to provide controlled release of B-XNEs to treat wound infections. B-XNEs and B-XNEs in wound dressings will be tested in vitro and in vivo using realistic and challenging wound biofilm models. Aim 1: Rotello will synthesize block copolymers and use these to parametrically vary size and charge of B-XNEs. These B-XNEs will then be used to carry antibiotics, providing synergistic activity with essential oils. B-XNEs will be screened for activity using luminescent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms, and then tested against other bacterial species by Rotello and Patel. Co-culture models employing mammalian cells will be used to downselect agents that maximize antibacterial activity and minimize mammalian cell toxicity. Aim 2: Rotello will incorporate B-XNEs into hydrogels to provide antimicrobial wound dressings. B-XNEs and hydrogels will be co-engineered to provide controlled release of B-XNEs. These B-XNE will be screened using luminescent MRSA to identify promising B-XNE-hydrogel combinations, and further tested as in Aim 1 by Rotello and Patel. Aim 3: Rotello and Patel will use murine wound biofilm models to test B-XNEs and B-XNE wound dressings. These studies will combine parametric pilot experiments using luminescent MRSA by Rotello with full pre-clinical evaluation by Patel with MRSA and Acinetobacter baumannii wound biofilms. Efficacy in these models will be quantified by decreased bacterial counts, enhanced wound healing, and diminished purulence as outcomes.