Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Publication
    High content analysis of cytotoxic effects of pDMAEMA on human intestinal epithelial and monocyte cultures
    Poly(2-(dimethylamino ethyl)methacrylate) (pDMAEMA) is a cationic polymer with potential as an antimicrobial agent and as a non-viral gene delivery vector. The aim was to further elucidate the cytotoxicity of a selected pDMAEMA low molecular weight (MW) polymer against human U937 monocytes and Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells using a novel multi-parameter high content analysis (HCA) assay and to investigate histological effects on isolated rat intestinal mucosae. Seven parameters of cytotoxicity were measured: nuclear intensity (NI), nuclear area (NA), intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), plasma membrane permeability (PMP), cell number (CN) and phospholipidosis. Histological effects of pDMAEMA on excised rat ileal and colonic mucosae were investigated in Ussing chambers. Following 24-72 hours exposure, 25-50 µg/ml pDMAEMA induced necrosis in U937 cells, while 100-250 µg/ml induced apoptosis in Caco-2. pDMAEMA increased NA and NI and decreased [Ca2+]i, PMP, MMP and CN in U937 cells. In Caco-2, it increased NI and [Ca2+]i, but decreased NA, PMP, MMP and CN. Phospholipidosis was not observed in either cell line. pDMAEMA (10 mg/ml) did not induce any histological damage on rat colonic tissue and only mild damage to ileal tissue following exposure for 60 min. In conclusion, HCA reveals that pDMAEMA induces cytotoxicity in different ways on different cell types at different concentrations. HCA potential for high throughput toxicity screening in drug formulation programmes.
      978Scopus© Citations 52
  • Publication
    Antibacterial effects of poly(2-(dimethylamino ethyl)methacrylate) against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
    Antimicrobial coatings can reduce the occurrence of medical device-related bacterial infections. Poly(2-(dimethylamino ethyl)methacrylate)) (pDMAEMA) is one such polymer that is being researched in this regard. The aims of this study were to (1) elucidate pDMAEMA’s antimicrobial activity against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and (2) to investigate its antimicrobial mode of action. The methods used include determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against various bacteria and the effect of pH and temperature on antimicrobial activity. The ability of pDMAEMA to permeabilise bacterial membranes was determined using the dyes 1-N-phenyl-naphthylamine (NPN) and Calcein-AM. Flow cytometry was used to investigate pDMAEMA’s capacity to be internalised by bacteria and to determine effects on bacterial cell cycling. pDMAEMA was bacteriostatic against Gram-negative bacteria with MIC values between 0.1–10 mg/ml. MIC values against Gram-positive bacteria were variable. pDMAEMA was active against Gram-positive bacteria around its pKa and at lower pH values, while it was active against Gram-negative bacteria around its pKa and at higher pH values. pDMAEMA inhibited bacterial growth by binding to the outside of the bacteria, permeabilising the outer membrane and disrupting the cytoplasmic membrane. By incorporating pDMAEMA with erythromycin, it was found that the efficacy of the latter was increased against Gram-negative bacteria. Together, the results illustrate that pDMAEMA acts in a similar fashion to other cationic biocides.
    Scopus© Citations 209  1329