Synergistic Lysozyme-Photodynamic Therapy Against Resistant Bacteria based on an Intelligent Upconversion Nanoplatform

The rapid emergence of drug-resistant bacteria has raised a great social concern together with the impetus for exploring advanced antibacterial ways. NIR-triggered antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) by lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) as energy donor exhibits the advantages of high tissue penetration, broad antibacterial spectrum and less acquired resistance, but is still limited by its low efficacy. Now we designed a bio-inorganic nanohybrid and combined lysozyme (LYZ) with UCNP-PDT system to enhance the efficiency against resistant bacteria. Benefiting from the rapid adhesion to bacteria, intelligently bacteria-responsive LYZ release and synergistic LYZ-PDT effect, the nanoplatform achieves an exceptionally strong bactericidal capacity and conspicuous bacteriostasis on methicillin-resistant S. aureus. These findings pave the way for designing efficiently antibacterial nanomaterials and provide a new strategy for combating deep-tissue bacterial infection.

Automated summary

The research team designed a bio-inorganic nanohybrid that combines lysozyme with the UCNP-PDT system to enhance the efficiency against drug-resistant bacteria. The nanoplatform achieves strong bactericidal capacity and significant bacteriostasis on methicillin-resistant S. aureus through rapid adhesion to bacteria, intelligently bacteria-responsive LYZ release, and synergistic LYZ-PDT effect.