Dextran-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Biomimetic Catalysts for Localized and pH-Activated Biofilm Disruption.

ABSTRACT: Biofilms are surface-attached bacterial communities embedded within an extracellular matrix that create localized and protected microenvironments. Acidogenic oral biofilms can demineralize the enamel-apatite on teeth, causing dental caries (tooth decay). Current antimicrobials have low efficacy and do not target the protective matrix and acidic pH within the biofilm. Recently, catalytic nanoparticles were shown to disrupt biofilms but lacked a stabilizing coating required for clinical applications. Here, we report dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles termed nanozymes (Dex-NZM) that display strong catalytic (peroxidase-like) activity at acidic pH values, target biofilms with high specificity, and prevent severe caries without impacting surrounding oral tissues in vivo. Nanoparticle formu

SUBMITTER: Naha PC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7059368 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature