Open AccessNitric Oxide Releasing Nanoparticles Are Therapeutic for Staphylococcus aureus Abscesses in a Murine Model of Infection
Author(s) -
George Han,
Luis R. Martinez,
Mircea Radu Mihu,
Adam Friedman,
Joel M. Friedman,
Joshua D. Nosanchuk
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0007804
Subject(s) - staphylococcus aureus , antimicrobial , microbiology and biotechnology , nitric oxide , abscess , in vitro , medicine , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , staphylococcal infections , immunology , bacteria , chemistry , biology , surgery , biochemistry , genetics , endocrinology
Staphylococcus aureus ( SA ) is a leading cause of a diverse spectrum of bacterial diseases, including abscesses. Nitric oxide (NO) is a critical component of the natural host defense against pathogens such as SA , but its therapeutic applications have been limited by a lack of effective delivery options. We tested the efficacy of a NO-releasing nanoparticle system (NO-np) in methicillin-resistant SA (MR SA ) abscesses in mice. The results show that the NO-np exert antimicrobial activity against MR SA in vitro and in abscesses. Topical or intradermal NO-np treatment of abscesses reduces the involved area and bacterial load while improving skin architecture. Notably, we evaluated pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines that are involved in immunomodulation and wound healing, revealing that NO-np lead to a reduction in angiogenesis preventing bacterial dissemination from abscesses. These data suggest that NO-np may be useful therapeutics for microbial abscesses.