# Tailored Levofloxacin Incorporated Extracellular Matrix Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Infections

## TL;DR

Researchers developed a new nanoparticle treatment combining levofloxacin and extracellular matrix to target lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients.

## Contribution

A novel hybrid nanoparticle formulation of levofloxacin and extracellular matrix is proposed for improved pulmonary drug delivery in cystic fibrosis.

## Key findings

- Hybrid nanoparticles with 10:1 and 1:1 ratios of LVX to ECM showed neutral charge and sizes of ~525 nm and ~300 nm.
- The nanoparticles are non-toxic to human airway epithelial cells and effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
- The formulation slows drug dissolution and may enhance mucus penetration for targeted lung delivery.

## Abstract

Cystic fibrosis produces viscous mucus in the lung that increases bacterial invasion, causing persistent infections and subsequent inflammation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two of the most common infections in cystic fibrosis patients that are resistant to antibiotics. One antibiotic approved to treat these infections is levofloxacin (LVX), which functions to inhibit bacterial replication but can be further developed into tailorable particles. Nanoparticles are an emerging inhaled therapy due to enhanced targeting and delivery. The extracellular matrix (ECM) has been shown to possess pro-regenerative and non-toxic properties in vitro, making it a promising delivery agent. The combination of LVX and ECM formed into nanoparticles may overcome barriers to lung delivery to effectively treat cystic fibrosis bacterial infections. Our goal is to advance CF care by providing a combined treatment option that has the potential to address both bacterial infections and lung damage. Two hybrid formulations of a 10:1 and 1:1 ratio of LVX to ECM have shown neutral surface charges and an average size of ~525 nm and ~300 nm, respectively. The neutral charge and size of the particles may suggest their ability to attract toward and penetrate through the mucus barrier in order to target the bacteria. The NPs have also been shown to slow the drug dissolution, are non-toxic to human airway epithelial cells, and are effective in inhibiting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. LVX-ECM NPs may be an effective treatment for pulmonary CF bacterial treatments.