A dual-functional nanoplatform constructed through the coordination-driven assembly of gallium ions (Ga3+) and polydopamine (PDA) for synergistic photothermal and metabolic antibiofilm therapy provides a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of biofilm-associated infections.
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms severely compromise antibiotic efficacy and accelerate drug resistance. Herein, a dual-functional nanoplatform (Ga-PDA NPs) was constructed through the coordination-driven assembly of gallium ions (Ga3+) and polydopamine (PDA) for synergistic photothermal and metabolic antibiofilm therapy. The PDA matrix serves as both a high-efficiency photothermal agent and a pH-responsive ligand, facilitating Ga3+ release within the acidic biofilm microenvironment. Under near-infrared irradiation, Ga-PDA NPs generate heat to disrupt bacterial membranes and the extracellular matrix. Concurrently, the released Ga3+ functions as a "Trojan horse," penetrating bacterial cells to interfere with iron metabolism, thereby triggering lethal iron starvation and widespread metabolic dysfunction. In vitro experiments verified potent bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, when incorporated into bacterial cellulose membranes, this composite system exhibited excellent biocompatibility and effectively promoted the healing of biofilm-infected wounds in mice. Overall, this dual-functional nanoplatform provides a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of biofilm-associated infections.
This work demonstrates a safe and effective strategy for combating MDR infections through the combined action of photothermal therapy and nanozyme catalysis, offering promising potential for clinical wound management.
Weiwei Zhang, Lixiang Fan, Xuanjun Zhang et al.· ACS Applied Materials and In...· 0 citations
This work developed a synergistic single-platform strategy for precise regulation of diabetic wound microenvironments, providing a promising therapeutic alternative for refractory diabetic wound treatment.
The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the efficacy of conventional antibiotics and demands new treatment strategies beyond molecular inhibition. Nanomaterials, particularly polydopamine nanoparticles (PDNPs), offer a promising non-antibiotic platform because of their biocompatibility, facile functionalization, and intrinsic photothermal activity, which can enable spatially and temporally controlled bacterial killing. Here, we investigate how bacterial cell envelope structure and polyethylenimine (PEI) corona architecture modulate PDNP-bacteria interactions and influence photothermal antibacterial efficacy. PDNPs were functionalized with branched PEI (bPEI) of varying molecular weights to leverage its high cationic charge density and enhance nanoparticle association with bacterial surfaces. Although PEI-functionalized PDNPs exhibited similar surface zeta potentials across different bPEI molecular weights, their interactions with bacteria and resulting cytotoxic effects were molecular-weight dependent; this effect was more pronounced for Gram-negative Escherichia coli than for Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis. Heat stress further amplified this response, particularly when combined with laser-induced photothermal heating of the nanoparticles. Together, these findings demonstrate that polymer corona architecture and bacterial cell envelope properties jointly govern PDNP-bacteria interactions and photothermal antibacterial activity, providing design principles for nanomaterial-based strategies to combat AMR.
Anna Galang, N. Andoy, R. Sullan· Langmuir· 0 citations
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm-associated infections remain a formidable clinical challenge, owing to limited antibiotic penetration, an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and recurrent biofilm regeneration. Effective long-term immunomodulatory strategies to prevent reinfection are still lacking. To address this issue, we have constructed a biomimetic cascade nanoplatform (MACP@DG@CM) that integrates a photothermal nanozyme core, surface-anchored DNase I-functionalized gold nanoclusters (DNase I-GNCs), and a pre-activated macrophage membrane camouflage. This design enables synergistic biofilm eradication and immune microenvironment modulation. Under an 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the nanoplatform triggers a cascade radical storm, including photothermal hyperthermia, a peroxidase-like hydroxyl radical (·OH) burst, nitric oxide (NO) release, and DNase I-mediated extracellular DNA (eDNA) degradation. Concurrently, it depletes glutathione (GSH), disrupts bacterial redox homeostasis, and causes severe membrane damage. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that the nanoplatform perturbs bacterial two-component systems, d-amino acid metabolism, and antimicrobial peptide resistance pathways. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) further confirms up-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines and down-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines, indicating an activated inflammatory response. In an MRSA-infected wound model, it accelerates wound closure, promotes collagen deposition, and modulates inflammation. Collectively, this biomimetic cascade nanoplatform provides a synergistic strategy for biofilm eradication and immune activation against drug-resistant infections.
Chang Liao, Jiamei Liao, Xiaolin Nie et al.· RSC Advances· 0 citations
A core–shell-type ZnO@ZIF-8/Ag nanocomposite material that combines high antibacterial activity with excellent biocompatibility offers a strategy for developing therapies against drug-resistant bacterial infections with the potential for clinical application.
Conventional antibacterial materials face challenges in simultaneously integrating efficient antibacterial activity, rapid hemostasis, and high biocompatibility. Herein, we report a rationally designed composite sponge (TGSS) composed of a highly porous gelatin/sodium alginate (Gel/SA) matrix decorated with titanium diboride nanosheets (TiB2 NSs). The TiB2 NSs not only endow the TGSS with efficient near-infrared (NIR)-triggered photothermal conversion for localized thermal ablation of bacteria but also confer Fenton-like catalytic activity that converts endogenous H2O2 into cytotoxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH), enabling selective oxidative damage to microbial cells. Owing to photothermal-chemodynamic synergy, TGSS achieves exceptional antibacterial performance with 99.09% inhibition against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and 99.99% against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) under NIR irradiation. Concurrently, the highly porous Gel/SA scaffold promotes rapid blood coagulation via intrinsic pathway activation and physical adsorption, resulting in significantly reduced bleeding time and blood loss. Importantly, the polymeric matrix effectively immobilizes TiB2 nanosheets (TiB2 NSs), suppressing nanoparticle leaching and thereby mitigating potential nanotoxicity. Furthermore, TGSS demonstrated favorable biocompatibility, as evidenced by a hemolysis rate below 5% and cell viability maintained above 90% after 48 h in cytotoxicity assays. Collectively, TGSS effectively prevents bacterial infection and accelerates blood coagulation, showcasing significant potential as a multifunctional wound dressing.