Recent advances in engineered polymeric materials for efficient photodynamic inactivation of bacterial pathogens

Sathishkumar Gnanasekar; Gopinath Kasi; Xiaodong He; Kai Zhang; Liqun Xu; En-Tang Kang

doi:10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.08.011

Recent advances in engineered polymeric materials for efficient photodynamic inactivation of bacterial pathogens

Bioact Mater. 2022 Aug 21:21:157-174. doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.08.011. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Authors

Sathishkumar Gnanasekar¹, Gopinath Kasi¹, Xiaodong He¹, Kai Zhang¹, Liqun Xu^{1

2}, En-Tang Kang^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Chongqing Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Technologies of Clean Energies, School of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China.
² Key Laboratory of Laser Technology and Optoelectronic Functional Materials of Hainan Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, PR China.
³ Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, 117576, Singapore.

Abstract

Nowadays, infectious diseases persist as a global crisis by causing significant destruction to public health and the economic stability of countries worldwide. Especially bacterial infections remain a most severe concern due to the prevalence and emergence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) and limitations with existing therapeutic options. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (APDT) is a potential therapeutic modality that involves the systematic administration of photosensitizers (PSs), light, and molecular oxygen (O₂) for coping with bacterial infections. Although the existing porphyrin and non-porphyrin PSs were effective in APDT, the poor solubility, limited efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria, and non-specific distribution hinder their clinical applications. Accordingly, to promote the efficiency of conventional PSs, various polymer-driven modification and functionalization strategies have been adopted to engineer multifunctional hybrid phototherapeutics. This review assesses recent advancements and state-of-the-art research in polymer-PSs hybrid materials developed for APDT applications. Further, the key research findings of the following aspects are considered in-depth with constructive discussions: i) PSs-integrated/functionalized polymeric composites through various molecular interactions; ii) PSs-deposited coatings on different substrates and devices to eliminate healthcare-associated infections; and iii) PSs-embedded films, scaffolds, and hydrogels for regenerative medicine applications.

Keywords: 1O2, Singlet oxygen; APDT, Antibacterial photodynamic therapy; APTT, Antibacterial photothermal therapy; Antibacterial photodynamic therapy; BODIPY, Boron dipyrromethene; BP, Black phosphorus; Biomaterials; CS, Chitosan; CUR, Curcumin; CV, Crystal violet; Ce6, Chlorin e6; Conjugation; HYP, Hypocrellin; Hp, Hematoporphyrin; Hydrogels; ICG, Indocyanine green; MB, Methylene blue; MRSA, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; PCL, Poly(ε-caprolactone); PDA, Polydopamine; PDI, Photodynamic inactivation; PEG, Poly(ethylene glycol); PEI, Polyethylamine; PPIX, Protoporphyrin IX; PSs, Photosensitizers; PVA, Poly(vinyl alcohol); Photosensitizers; Polymers; RB, Rose bengal; ROS, Reactive oxygen species; α-CD, α-cyclodextrin.

Publication types

Review