Magnetic drug targeting as new therapeutic option for the treatment of biomaterial infections

A. Obermeier, S. Küchler, F. D. Matl, T. Pirzer, A. Stemberger, O. Mykhaylyk, W. Friess, R. Burgkart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Implant-associated infections are a challenging problem in surgery. Bacteria in biofilms are difficult to treat as they are less susceptible to antibiotics or antiseptics which require high drug concentrations at the site of infection. We present a novel strategy to concentrate high antibiotic doses systemically at the target site using newly developed antibiotic-functionalized nanoparticles directed by a magnetic drug-targeting system. The important and effective antibiotic gentamicin served as antimicrobial substance and was ionically or covalently attached to magnetic nanoparticles. Subsequently, the particles were characterized thoroughly. Anti-infective properties with regard to Staphylococcus aureus and the degree of cytotoxicity concerning human umbilical vein endothelial cells were determined. The enrichment of the magnetic nanoparticles at the surface of model tubes in circulatory experiments was investigated. We describe a promising technique for the loading of magnetic nanoparticles to treat systemic infections. Gentamicin-coated magnetic nanopar-ticles reduced bacterial growth even beyond pathologically relevant concentrations within 24 h. Excellent concentration independent biocompatibility was found for the nanoparticles themselves and we demonstrate that the magnetic nanoparticles can be navigated and concentrated on surfaces of model implants using a permanent magnetic field.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2321-2336
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition
Volume23
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Biofilms
  • Gentamicin
  • Implant
  • Magnetic nanoparticles
  • Targeted drug delivery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Magnetic drug targeting as new therapeutic option for the treatment of biomaterial infections'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this