Erythrocyte membrane-coated nanogel for combinatorial antivirulence and responsive antimicrobial delivery against Staphylococcus aureus infection

Abstract

ABSTRACT We reported an erythrocyte membrane‐coated nanogel (RBC‐nanogel) system with combinatorial antivirulence and responsive antibiotic delivery for the treatment of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. RBC membrane was coated onto the nanogel via a membrane vesicle templated in situ gelation process, whereas the redox‐responsiveness was achieved by using a disulfide bond‐based crosslinker. We demonstrated that the RBC‐nanogels effectively neutralized MRSA‐associated toxins in extracellular environment and the toxin neutralization in turn promoted bacterial uptake by macrophages. In intracellular reducing environment, the RBC‐nanogels showed an accelerated drug release profile, which resulted in more effective bacterial inhibition. When added to the macrophages infected with intracellular MRSA bacteria, the RBC‐nanogels significantly inhibited bacterial growth compared to free antibiotics and non‐responsive nanogel counterparts. These results indicate the great potential of the RBC‐nanogel system as a new and effective antimicrobial agent against MRSA infection. Graphical abstract We synthesized redox‐responsive hydrogel nanoparticles cloaked with red blood cell membranes, which integrate antivirulence therapy with responsive antimicrobial delivery for effective treatment against Staphylococcus aureus infection. Figure. No Caption available.