We present an antibacterial polymersome-hydrogel composite that combined advantages of both antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics. The polymersomes are self-assembled from poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(lysine-stat-phenylalanine) [PCL-b-P(Lys-stat-Phe)], exhibiting long-acting intrinsic antibacterial capabilities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, Penicillin is encapsulated into polymersomes, showing quick and enhanced antibacterial activities. Furthermore, a dynamic hydrogel network is prepared based on the Schiff base linkages between the aldehyde groups of the dibenzaldehyde-functionalized PEG (DF-PEG) and the amino groups of the chitosan. In the mean time, the penicillin-loaded polymersomes are grafted into the hydrogel networks by Schiff base linkages to afford the polymersome-hydrogel composites, which exhibit two-stage antibacterial behavior: (1) Penicillin can be released from the hydrogel networks for quick antibacterial function; (2) Polymersomes and the remaining penicillin can be further released for long-term antibacterial effect. Overall, this polymersome-hydrogel composite demonstrated a new type of injectable antibacterial biomaterial for quick and long-acting antibacterial applications.

文章链接：Journal of Materials Chemistry B 2018, 6, 6311-6321.