Exploring Naturally Tailored Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles for Selective Bacteriostatic Implant Coatings

In treating infectious diseases, achieving selective bacterial inhibition is crucial for preserving the microecological equilibrium. The current approaches predominantly rely on synthetic materials tailored to specific bacteria, considering their cell walls or oxygen requirements. Herein, inspired by intricate bacterial communication, a natural implant is proposed coating utilizing bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), essential components in bacterial signaling, integrated onto diverse implant surfaces through a universal poly (tannic acid) bridging layer. This coating is homogenous and stable, unexpectedly promoting the proliferation of parental bacteria while inhibiting heterologous bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. Through high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, the selective bacteriostatic ability arises from OMVs, upregulating anti-oxidative stress genes in heterologous bacteria and activating biofilm-related genes in parental bacteria. This study positions OMVs as an appealing biomaterial for selective bacterial inhibition through a biological approach, showcasing their potential in regulating the microecological balance through a natural interface modification strategy.