Reactive metal boride nanoparticles trap lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan for bacteria-infected wound healing

Bacteria and excessive inflammation are two main factors causing non-healing wounds. However, current studies have mainly focused on the inhibition of bacteria survival for wound healing while ignoring the excessive inflammation induced by dead bacteria-released lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or peptidoglycan (PGN). Herein, a boron-trapping strategy has been proposed to prevent both infection and excessive inflammation by synthesizing a class of reactive metal boride nanoparticles (MB NPs). Our results show that the MB NPs are gradually hydrolyzed to generate boron dihydroxy groups and metal cations while generating a local alkaline microenvironment. This microenvironment greatly enhances boron dihydroxy groups to trap LPS or PGN through an esterification reaction, which not only enhances metal cation-induced bacterial death but also inhibits dead bacteria-induced excessive inflammation both in vitro and in vivo, finally accelerating wound healing. Taken together, this boron-trapping strategy provides an approach to the treatment of bacterial infection and the accompanying inflammation. Antibacterial wound healing approaches often target bacteria but overlook the inflammation response caused by products release by dead bacteria. Here, the authors report on the development of Boride nanoparticles to treat infection and prevent excessive inflammation by trapping lipopolysaccharides/peptidoglycans.

Automated summary

Bacteria and excessive inflammation are the main causes of non-healing wounds. This study proposes a boron-trapping strategy using reactive metal boride nanoparticles to prevent infection and excessive inflammation. The strategy enhances bacterial death and inhibits inflammation, promoting wound healing.