Secondary amine pendent β-peptide polymers realizing antimicrobial surfaces to prevent bacterial infection of implants

Antimicrobial coatings covalently grafted on the implant surfaces are considered to be one of the powerful weapons to prevent implant-associated infections. beta-Peptide polymers and host defense peptide mimicking polymers are considered promising candidates to fight against drug-resistant bacteria. Here, we compared the antimicrobial activity of Au surface modified by these beta-peptide polymers containing primary, secondary, and tertiary amino groups in the side chains. Copolymer P3 containing secondary amino groups was found to have high antibacterial activity. P3-modified thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) can serve as a promising antimicrobial material for practical application, because of its effective prevention of TPU-related infection and the promotion of host cell growth in the subcutaneous implant infection model.

Automated summary

Antimicrobial coatings grafted onto implant surfaces are effective in preventing implant-associated infections. Beta-peptide polymers and host defense peptide mimicking polymers show promise in fighting drug-resistant bacteria. Among the polymers tested, P3, which contains secondary amino groups, exhibits high antibacterial activity. P3-modified thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a potential antimicrobial material that effectively prevents TPU-related infections and promotes host cell growth in subcutaneous implant infection models.