Enhancing the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections: A nanosystem with including dual antimicrobial peptide

Abstract

The unique properties of nanoparticles (NPs) and their modification to selectively target infected tissues or specific pathogens could be an effective approach to revolutionize the treatment of infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to develop poly (lactic - co -glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with an antimicrobial peptide (HF-18) and decorated with an antimicrobial peptide (P6.2) for selective targeting against Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus) . Applying the Box-Behnken experimental design, HF-18 loaded PLGA nanoparticles were produced and optimized to have minimum particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) value by selecting primary water phase volume, organic phase volume and secondary water phase volume as independent parameters. Secondary water phase volume had the most significant effect on particle size and PDI. OPT -NP was more effective than HF-18 against most bacterial strains. The non -targeted (OPT -NP) and targeted (P6.2 -OPTNP) systems were shown to be biocompatible at levels that exhibited antibacterial activity. The P6.2 -OPT -NP was predominantly taken up by S. aureus , while Escherichia coli (E. coli) used as a negative control showed minimal uptake. Furthermore, co -culture studies indicated that P6.2 -OPT -NP was drastically uptake by S. aureus , while no internalized nanoparticles were visualized in fibroblast cells indicating active targeting of bacterial cells by P6.2OPT -NP. Thus, these findings demonstrate the development of a formulation that selectively targets S. aureus , presenting promising prospects for future therapeutic applications.