A Kinetic Approach to Synergize Bactericidal Efficacy and Biocompatibility in Silver-Based Sol−Gel Coatings
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Author
Zwingelstein, Thibault
Figarol, Agathe
Luzet, Vincent
Crenna, Maude
Bulliard, Xavier
Finelli, Alba
Gay, Julien
Lefèvre, Xavier
Pugin, Raphaël
Laithier, Jean-François
DOI
Abstract
Silver ions are antimicrobial agents with powerful
action against bacteria. Applications in surface treatments, as Ag+-
functionalized sol−gel coatings, are expected in the biomedical field
to prevent contaminations and infections. The potential cytotoxicity
of Ag+ cations toward human cells is well known though.
However, few studies consider both the bactericidal activity and the
biocompatibility of the Ag+-functionalized sol−gels. Here, we
demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of Ag+ cations is circumvented,
thanks to the ability of Ag+ cations to kill Escherichia coli (E. coli)
much faster than normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). This
phenomenon was investigated in the case of two silver nitrateloaded
sol−gel coatings: one with 0.5 w/w% Ag+ cations and the
second with 2.5 w/w%. The maximal amount of released Ag+ ions
over time (0.25 mg/L) was ten times lower than the minimal inhibition (MIC) and minimal bactericidal (MBC) concentrations
(respectively, 2.5 and 16 mg/L) for E. coli and twice lower to the minimal cytotoxic concentration (0.5 mg/L) observed in NHDFs.
E. coli were killed 8−18 times, respectively, faster than NHDFs by silver-loaded sol−gel coatings. This original approach, based on
the kinetic control of the biological activity of Ag+ cations instead of a concentration effect, ensures the bactericidal protection while
maintaining the biocompatibility of the Ag+ cation-functionalized sol−gels. This opens promising applications of silver-loaded sol−
gel coatings for biomedical tools in short-term or indirect contacts with the skin.
Publication Reference
ACS Omega 2024, 9, 24574−24583
Year
2024-05-30