AVS 60th International Symposium and Exhibition
    Biomaterial Interfaces Wednesday Sessions
       Session BI-WeM

Paper BI-WeM2
Toxicology of Antimicrobial Conjugated Electrolytes: Interactions with Mammalian Cells

Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 8:20 am, Room 201 B

Session: Cell-Surface Interactions
Presenter: H.E. Canavan, University of New Mexico
Authors: H.E. Canavan, University of New Mexico
K.N. Wilde, University of New Mexico
D.G. Whitten, University of New Mexico
Correspondent: Click to Email
Certain cationic phenylene ethynylene (CPE)-based polymers (PPEs) and oligomers (OPEs) exhibit dark- and light-activated antimicrobial activity. Until recently, it was unknown if they would also exhibit similar biocidal activity toward mammalian cells. Based on their biocidal activity and diversity of repeat unit number and functional groups, a variety of CPEs, PPEs, and OPEs were selected for these studies, and were examined for their toxicity toward mammalian cells at three levels: cytoxicity testing of cell monolayers, skin irritation testing of tissues, and intracellular co-localization. As expected, concentration plays the largest role in determining viability. The lack of skin irritation for all substances alleviates initial safety concerns for products based on these CPEs and OPEs. In all cases, the addition of light changed the effects of the compounds on the mammalian cells. The modes of action of these compounds appear to be governed primarily by length.