Folic acid-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles with pH-responsiveness loaded with Amp for an enhanced effect against anti-drug-resistant bacteria by overcoming efflux pump systems

Biomater Sci. 2018 Jun 25;6(7):1923-1935. doi: 10.1039/c8bm00262b.

Abstract

Efflux pump system-mediated bacterial multidrug resistance is one of the main causes of antibiotic failure. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a novel nanocarrier that could effectively inhibit drug-resistant bacteria by increasing the intake and retention time of antibiotics. Herein, we constructed a pH-responsive nanocarrier (MSN@FA@CaP@FA) with double folic acid (FA) and calcium phosphate (CaP) covered on the surface of mesoporous silica (MSN) by electrostatic attraction and biomineralization, respectively. Afterward, loading the nanocomposites with ampicillin (Amp) effectively increased the uptake and reduced the efflux effect in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by the specific targeting of FA. Moreover, Amp-MSN@FA@CaP@FA could specifically transport Amp to the bacterial infection site. Similarly, antibacterial experiments revealed that the Amp-MSN@FA@CaP@FA could significantly enhance the activity of Amp for inhibiting drug-resistant bacteria, without producing drug resistance. Additionally, the Amp-MSN@FA@CaP@FA could reduce the content of protein and inhibit the protein activity in drug-resistant bacteria, so that it destroyed the bacterial membrane and led to the bacteria death. In vivo antibacterial experiments showed that the Amp-MSN@FA@CaP@FA could effectively reduce the mortality of drug-resistant E. coli infection and promote wound healing of drug-resistant S. aureus infection. In summary, Amp-MSN@FA@CaP@FA has a potential for application in sustained-release nanostructures and to inhibit drug-resistant bacteria.

MeSH terms

  • Ampicillin / chemistry
  • Ampicillin / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Calcium Phosphates / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Drug Carriers
  • Drug Compounding / methods
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Infections / drug therapy
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / mortality
  • Escherichia coli Infections / pathology
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / chemistry
  • Genes, MDR / drug effects*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Rhodamines / metabolism
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / microbiology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / mortality
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / pathology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Staphylococcus aureus / growth & development
  • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism
  • Static Electricity
  • Wound Healing / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Drug Carriers
  • Rhodamines
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Ampicillin
  • Folic Acid
  • calcium phosphate
  • rhodamine B