Bioactive Suture with Added Innate Defense Functionality for the Reduction of Bacterial Infection and Inflammation.

Surgical site infections (SSI) are a clinical and economic burden. Suture-associated SSI may develop when bacteria colonize the suture surface and form biofilms that are resistant to antibiotics. Thrombin-derived C-terminal peptide (TCP)-25 is a host defense peptide with a unique dual mode of action that can target both bacteria and the excessive inflammation induced by bacterial products. The peptide has demonstrated therapeutic potential in preclinical in vivo wound infection models. In this study, we set out to explore whether TCP-25 could provide a new bioactive innate immune feature to hydrophilic polyglactin sutures (Vicryl). Using a combination of biochemical, biophysical, antibacterial, biofilm, and anti-inflammatory assays in vitro, in silico molecular modeling studies, along with experimental infection and inflammation models in mice, we here show a proof-of-concept that TCP-25 can provide Vicryl sutures with a previously undisclosed host defense capacity, that enables targeting of both bacteria, biofilms, and the accompanying inflammatory response. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.