Affiliation:
1. Sun Yat‐Sen University of Shenzhen Campus School of Biomedical Engineering Shenzhen 518107 China
2. Shenzhen University General Hospital Shenzhen 518000 China
3. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instrument Shenzhen 518107 China
Abstract
AbstractIn response to the escalating challenge of bacterial drug resistance, the imperative to counteract planktonic cell proliferation and eliminate entrenched biofilms underscores the necessity for cationic polymeric antibacterials. However, limited efficacy and cytotoxicity challenge their practical use. Here, novel imidazolium‐based main‐chain copolymers with imidazolium (PIm+) as the cationic component are introduced. By adjusting precursor molecules, hydrophobicity and cationic density of each unit are fine‐tuned, resulting in broad‐spectrum bactericidal activity against clinically relevant pathogens. PIm+1 stands out for its potent antibacterial performance, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 32 µg mL−1 against Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and substantial biofilm reduction in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) biofilms. The bactericidal mechanism involves disrupting the outer and cytoplasmic membranes, depolarizing the cytoplasmic membrane, and triggering intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Collectively, this study postulates the potential of imidazolium‐based main‐chain copolymers, systematically tailored in their sequences, to serve as a promising candidate in combatting drug‐resistant bacterial infections.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province
Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province
Natural Science Research Project of Guizhou Province
Shenzhen Knowledge Innovation Program
Subject
Materials Chemistry,Polymers and Plastics,Biomaterials,Bioengineering,Biotechnology