Effective targeted therapy for drug-resistant infection by ICAM-1 antibody-conjugated TPGS modified β-GaO:Cr nanoparticles.

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance and lack of alternative drugs have posed an increasing threat to public health. Here, we prepared β-GaO:Cr nanoparticles modified with ICAM1-antibody-conjugated TPGS (I-TPGS/GaO) as a novel antibiotic carrier for the treatment of drug-resistant infections. : I-TPGS/GaO were firstly characterized by measuring particle size, morphology, crystal structure, drug loading capacity, and drug release behaviors. The antibacterial activities of I-TPGS/GaO/TIG were evaluated using standard and drug-resistant bacteria. The internalization of I-TPGS/GaO was observed by fluorescence confocal imaging, and the expression levels of the efflux pump genes of TRKP were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. cellular uptake and biodistribution study were performed to investigate the targeting specificity of I-TPGS/GaO using HUEVC and acute pneumonia mice, respectively. The anti-infective efficacy and biosafety of I-TPGS/GaO/TIG were finally evaluated using acute pneumonia mice. : It was found that TPGS could down-regulate the over-expression of the efflux pump genes, thus decreasing the efflux pump activity of bacteria. I-TPGS/GaO with small particle size and uniform distribution facilitated their internalization in bacteria, and the TPGS modification resulted in a significant reduction in the efflux of loaded antibiotics. These properties rendered the encapsulated tigecycline to exert a stronger antibacterial activity both and . Additionally, targeted delivery of I-TPGS/GaO mediated by ICAM1 antibodies contributed to a safe and effective therapy. : It is of great value to apply I-TPGS/GaO as a novel and effective antibiotic delivery system for the treatment of drug-resistant infections.