Stimulus-responsive biomaterials for Helicobacter pylori eradication

Tiantian Shan; Xi Chen; Xinxuan Zhou; Nanxi Wang; Biao Ren; Lei Cheng

doi:10.1016/j.jare.2023.12.019

Stimulus-responsive biomaterials for Helicobacter pylori eradication

J Adv Res. 2023 Dec 30:S2090-1232(23)00406-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.12.019. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Tiantian Shan¹, Xi Chen¹, Xinxuan Zhou², Nanxi Wang², Biao Ren³, Lei Cheng⁴

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. Electronic address: renbiao@scu.edu.cn.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. Electronic address: chenglei@scu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38160707
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.12.019

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the only bacterium classified as a type I (definite) carcinogen, is strongly associated with the development of gastric inflammation and adenocarcinoma. It infects the stomach of approximately half of the global population, equivalent to nearly 4.4 billion people. However, due to physiological barriers in the stomach, microbial barriers and increased antibiotic resistance, the therapeutic efficiency of standard antibiotic therapy is limited and cannot meet the clinical needs in some areas. Combining stimulus-responsive biomaterials with certain stimuli is an emerging antibacterial strategy. Stimulus-responsive biomaterials can respond to chemical, biological or physical cues in the environment with corresponding changes in their own properties and functions, highlighting a more intelligent, targeting and efficient aspect for H. pylori therapy.

Aim of review: This review describes the critical obstacles in the current treatment of H. pylori, summarizes the recent advances in stimulus-responsive biomaterials against H. pylori by elucidating their working mechanisms and antibacterial performances under different types of stimuli (pH, enzymes, light, magnetic and ultrasound irradiations), and attempts to analyze the future prospects of such smart biomaterial for H. pylori eradication. Key Scientific Concepts of Review: Any characteristic property or change in the biomilieu at the H. pylori infected site (endogenous stimuli) or specific iatrogenic conditions in vitro (exogenous stimuli) can act as cues to activate or potentiate the antibacterial activity of responsive biomaterials. The responsiveness of these materials to endogenous stimuli enhances antimicrobial targeting, and makes physiological barriers that would otherwise hinder conventional H. pylori therapies a key factor in facilitating antibacterial effects. The responsiveness to exogenous stimuli greatly prolongs the action time of antimicrobial materials and pinpoints the site of infection, thereby reducing toxic side effects. These findings pave the way for the development of more precise and effective anti-H. pylori treatment.

Keywords: Antibacterial; Helicobacter pylori; Stimulus-responsive; Targeting; pH-responsive.

Publication types

Review