Enzyme-responsive polymers for microbial infection detection

Abstract

There is a pressing need for point-of-care diagnostics indicating early stages of infection. Polymers can respond to enzymes secreted by microorganisms or released by the human immune system. This provokes either a direct color reaction or release of dyes, allowing early-stage detection of wound infections and contamination of medical devices. Conventional methods for the detection of infection indicators are based on slow, laboratory-based procedures and, consequently, do not allow a timely assessment. In contrast, polymer-based materials offer real-time responses in point-of-care devices that, in turn, allow therapists to amend treatment before the infection has become firmly established. The use of protein, polysaccharide and mixed polymer systems provides a sensitive means to detect the low levels of proteases and glycosyl hydrolases produced on initiation of infection in the clinical setting. These polymers can be easily fabricated into various forms that can be directly applied in diagnostic devices.

Keywords:

• cathepsin G
• diagnosis
• elastase
• enzyme-responsive polymers
• gelatinase
• hydrogel
• infection
• lysozyme
• peptidoglycan
• platelet concentrate

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work has been supported by the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy (BMWFW), the Federal Ministry of Traffic, Innovation and Technology (bmvit), the Styrian Business Promotion Agency SFG, the Standortagentur Tirol, the Government of Lower Austria and Business Agency Vienna through the COMET-Funding Program managed by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Key issues

• Enzymes of the human immune system trigger color reactions of enzyme-responsive biopolymers in case of infection.

• Substrates of human neutrophil elastase were immobilized on biopolymers, which indicated wound infection.

• Enzyme-responsive particles made of gelatin release dye proportional to gelatinolytic enzyme activity.

• Protein-based enzyme-responsive polymers can be used for the detection of pathogens in platelet concentrate.

• Dyed peptidoglycan/agarose blends can indicate wound infection upon dye release.

• Enzyme-responsive polymers, such as hydrogels consisting of polysaccharides, react to enzymes released by the pathogenic microorganisms, leading to color formation.

Notes