AIE-Powered Nanosoldiers for Precision Disruption of Biofilm's Extracellular Defense in Infection Treatment

Bacterial biofilm infections are currently a global health challenge because the presence of biofilms prevents drug penetration and triggers inflammation that is difficult to eradicate. The need to develop new strategies to treat chronic inflammation caused by bacterial films is crucial. In this study, aggregation-induced emission luminophores (AIEgens) named TDTNI are designed, synthesized, and self-assembled into nanoparticles (TDTNI NPs). They have highly efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) properties, effectively inactivating Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), inhibiting the formation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in biofilms, and reducing bacterial adhesion. S. aureus-infected mouse wound experiments and rat periodontitis treatment experiments further demonstrated that TDTNI NPs have good bacterial membrane-scavenging properties and EPS-targeting ability, promote wound healing and periodontitis treatment, and have almost no side effects on the organisms themselves. Furthermore, they can eliminate stains that adhere to the enamel surface without damaging the enamel and periodontal tissues. They have strong photoacoustic/photothermal imaging capabilities, and in vivo experiments have demonstrated excellent resolution and tissue penetration capabilities. Given the exemplary demonstration, the superiority of TDTNI NPs in treating bacterial biofilm-infected wounds and periodontitis makes them promising candidates for application in the treatment of bacterial biofilm infections.