Penetration and photodynamic ablation of drug-resistant biofilm by cationic Iron oxide nanoparticles

As we step into the post-antibiotic era, the accelerated emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria poses an increasingly serious threat to public health. The formation of antibiotic-resistant biofilms further challenges currently available drugs and treatment options, calling for novel strategies for effective ablation of such biofilm with minimal concern on safety and development of resistance. Herein, we report a novel type of photodynamic nanoagent, composed of chlorin e6 (Ce6)-loaded water-soluble chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (named Ce6@WCS-IONP), for drug-resistant bacteria killing and biofilm eradication. The fabri-cated Ce6@WCS-IONP has negligible toxicity to mammalian cells and exhibited equivalent singlet oxygen generation capacity to free Ce6; however, its association with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was greatly enhanced, as evidenced by flow cytometry analysis and transmission electron microscope. In vitro studies verified that Ce6@WCS-IONP has superior photodynamic bactericidal effect against planktonic MRSA. Furthermore, with the aid of the cationic nature and small size, Ce6@WCS-IONP could effectively penetrate into MRSA biofilm, revealed by 3D fluorescence imaging. Both biomass analysis and viable bacteria counting demonstrated that Ce6@WCS-IONP showed potent biofilm ablation efficacy, averagely 7.1 log unit lower than that in free Ce6 group upon identical light irradiation. In addition, local treatment of MRSA-infected mice with Ce6@WCS-IONP plus light irradiation resulted in significant antibacterial and wound healing effect, accompa-nied by good biocompatibility in vivo. Collectively, photosensitizer-loaded cationic IONP with effective biofilm penetration and photodynamic eradication potential might be a promising nano platform in fighting against antibiotic-resistant microbial pathogen and biofilm.

Automated summary

This study reports a novel photodynamic nanoagent that can effectively kill drug-resistant bacteria and eradicate biofilms. The nanoagent is non-toxic to mammalian cells and exhibits strong antibacterial properties. The results demonstrate that the nanoagent can penetrate biofilms and effectively eliminate them. Animal experiments also confirm its excellent antibacterial and wound healing effects.