Protein-coated nanostructured surfaces affect the adhesion of Escherichia coli

Nanoscale. 2022 May 26;14(20):7736-7746. doi: 10.1039/d2nr00976e.

Abstract

Developing new implant surfaces with anti-adhesion bacterial properties used for medical devices remains a challenge. Here we describe a novel study investigating nanotopography influences on bacterial adhesion on surfaces with controlled interspatial nanopillar distances. The surfaces were coated with proteins (fibrinogen, collagen, serum and saliva) prior to E. coli-WT adhesion under flow conditions. PiFM provided chemical mapping and showed that proteins adsorbed both between and onto the nanopillars with a preference for areas between the nanopillars. E. coli-WT adhered least to protein-coated areas with low surface nanopillar coverage, most to surfaces coated with saliva, while human serum led to the lowest adhesion. Protein-coated nanostructured surfaces affected the adhesion of E. coli-WT.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria
  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Escherichia coli*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nanostructures*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins