Prolongation of Fate of Bacteriophages In Vivo by Polylactic-Co-Glycolic-Acid/Alginate-Composite Encapsulation
Sang-Guen Kim,
Sib Sankar Giri,
Su-Jin Jo,
Jeong-Woo Kang,
Sung-Bin Lee,
Won-Joon Jung,
Young-Min Lee,
Hee-Jin Kim,
Ji-Hyung Kim,
Se-Chang Park
Affiliations
Sang-Guen Kim
Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Sib Sankar Giri
Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Su-Jin Jo
Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Jeong-Woo Kang
Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Sung-Bin Lee
Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Won-Joon Jung
Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Young-Min Lee
Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Hee-Jin Kim
Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Ji-Hyung Kim
Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Korea
Se-Chang Park
Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
With concern growing over antibiotics resistance, the use of bacteriophages to combat resistant bacteria has been suggested as an alternative strategy with which to enable the selective control of targeted pathogens. One major challenge that restrains the therapeutic application of bacteriophages as antibacterial agents is their short lifespan, which limits their antibacterial effect in vivo. Here, we developed a polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)/alginate-composite microsphere for increasing the lifespan of bacteriophages in vivo. The alginate matrix in PLGA microspheres encapsulated the bacteriophages and protected them against destabilization by an organic solvent. Encapsulated bacteriophages were detected in the tissue for 28 days post-administration, while the bacteriophages administered without advanced encapsulation survived in vivo for only 3–5 days. The bacteriophages with extended fate showed prophylaxis against the bacterial pathogens for 28 days post-administration. This enhanced prophylaxis is presumed to have originated from the diminished immune response against these encapsulated bacteriophages because of their controlled release. Collectively, composite encapsulation has prophylactic potential against bacterial pathogens that threaten food safety and public health.
