Polymeric dye-loaded electrospun fibers for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy

Dereje, Degnet Melese ; Pontremoli, Carlotta ; Yus, Cristina (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Gámez, Enrique ; Paesa, Monica (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Mendoza, Gracia ; Arruebo, Manuel (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Barbero, Nadia

Resumen: As an alternative to the extensive use and misuse of antibiotics, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy stands out as a non-selective, broad-spectrum, locally and spatially controlled antimicrobial therapy. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, generated by appropriate light on specific photosensitizers in the presence of tissue oxygen, cause rapid bacterial damage with reduced chances for bacteria to develop adaptive mechanisms of acquired or genetic resistance. Herein, we developed a light-responsive advanced wound dressing based on electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers decorated with PLGA microparticles (MPs) encapsulating a polymethine cyanine dye (Br-CY5). This bilayer system was designed to enable bacterial inactivation upon light irradiation while providing sustained dye release and mechanical stability suited for chronic wound environments. The hybrid dressing was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, which is a bacterial pathogen commonly present on chronic infected wounds, addressing a 99.9 % reduction in the bacterial load after irradiating the dressing with a 640 nm LED for 15 min. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the free dye and the developed dressing was assessed on various eukaryotic cell lines to ensure cytocompatibility. These results highlight the potential of this bilayered photodynamic system as an effective and safe antimicrobial wound dressing for managing chronic infections.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2025.103109

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Materials Today Chemistry 49 (2025), 103109 [12 pp.]
ISSN: 2468-5194

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2023-146091OB-I00

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Ingeniería Química (Dpto. Ing.Quím.Tecnol.Med.Amb.)