Synergy between Clinical Microenvironment Targeted Nanoplatform and Near-Infrared Light Irradiation for Managing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections

Wei, XS (Wei, Xiaosong) 1Li, J (Li, Jie) 1Zhang, YF (Zhang, Yufei) 1Zheng, Y (Zheng, Yin) 2, 3Zhang, YL (Zhang, Yanlong) 1Meng, HP (Meng, Huipeng) 1Wu, GL (Wu, Guolin) 1Hu, YQ (Hu, Yuqing) 1Gao, YC (Gao, Yingchao) 1Huang, SY (Huang, Siyuan) 1Wang, WB (Wang, Wenbo) 1Cheng, YJ (Cheng, Yijie) 1Wu, ZM (Wu, Zhongming) 2, 3Zhang, XG (Zhang, Xinge) 1

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, 2021, 13(33): 38979-38989

DOI 10.1021/acsami.1c08132

Abstract

Chronic infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa pose severe threats to human health. Traditional antibiotic therapy has lost its total supremacy in this battle. Here, nanoplatforms activated by the clinical microenvironment are developed to treat P. aeruginosa infection on the basis of dynamic borate ester bonds. In this design, the nanoplatforms expose targeted groups for bacterial capture after activation by an acidic infection microenvironment, resulting in directional transport delivery of the payload to bacteria. Subsequently, the production of hyperpyrexia and reactive oxygen species enhances antibacterial efficacy without systemic toxicity. Such a formulation with a diameter less than 200 nm can eliminate biofilm up to 75%, downregulate the level of cytokines, and finally promote lung repair. Collectively, the biomimetic design with phototherapy killing capability has the potential to be an alternative strategy against chronic infections caused by P. aeruginosa.