Cyclodextrin-functionalized biomaterials loaded with miconazole prevent Candida albicans biofilm formation in vitro

Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were functionalized at their surfaces with cyclodextrins (CDs) in order to prevent the adhesion and proliferation of Candida albicans on medical devices made from these polymers. The surface functionalization involved the grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) after oxidative γ-ray pre-irradiation, followed by the attachment of β-CD and HP-β-CD to PE-g-GMA and PP-g-GMA surfaces. The yield of CD functionalization directly depended on the amount of GMA grafted. The presence of CDs on the surface of the polymers did not compromise their cell compatibility, but remarkably changed their protein adsorption profile. In contrast to unmodified PE and PP that adsorb significant amounts of fibrinogen (～0.047 mg cm^?2) but not albumin, the CD-modified polyethers promoted the adsorption of albumin (between 0.015 and 0.155 mg cm^?2) and reduced the adsorption of fibrinogen. Furthermore, functionalization with CDs provided PE and PP with the capability to incorporate the anti-fungal drug miconazole (up to 0.27 mg cm^?2), leading to reduced biofilm formation by C. albicans in an in vitro biofilm model system. Overall, the results of the work indicate that the novel approach for functionalization of PE and PP is potentially useful to reduce the likelihood of foreign body-related infections.