# Modification of Silver-Loaded Biodegradable Polymer Nanoparticles with Bacterial Membrane Vesicles for Treating Intracellular Bacterial Infections

## TL;DR

Researchers developed silver-loaded nanoparticles modified with bacterial membranes to target and kill intracellular bacteria in macrophages.

## Contribution

The novel use of bacterial membrane vesicles to enhance nanoparticle delivery and efficacy against intracellular pathogens.

## Key findings

- MV-coated nanoparticles showed a protein profile similar to native MVs.
- The modified nanoparticles effectively targeted and killed intracellular S. Typhimurium.
- Enhanced cellular uptake improved the bactericidal efficacy of the nanoparticles.

## Abstract

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is an intracellular pathogen capable of surviving and replicating within macrophages, which causes foodborne diseases such as gastroenteritis. To develop a strategy against intracellular bacteria in macrophages, we designed silver-loaded biodegradable polymer nanoparticles functionalized with S. Typhimurium membrane vesicles (MVs). Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were initially encapsulated within biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic) nanoparticles (Ag-P NPs), which were then surface-modified with polyethyleneimine to form Ag-PP NPs. These were subsequently fused with S. Typhimurium MVs via a sonication method to generate Ag-PP@MV NPs. The resulting MV-coated nanoparticles displayed a similar protein profile to that of native MVs and exhibited antibacterial activity against intracellular S. Typhimurium. Notably, the enhanced cellular uptake of the MV-modified NPs contributed to their intracellular bactericidal efficacy. This study highlights MV modification as a promising strategy to improve NP delivery to macrophages for treating persistent intracellular infections.