Cascade catalytic nanoplatform constructed by laterally-functionalized pillar[5]arenes for antibacterial chemodynamic therapy

Abstract

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an emerging approach to overcome bacterial infections that can efficiently convert hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to generate highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (˙OH). How to develop safe and effective CDT-based strategies is in high demand but challenging. Herein, a cascade catalytic nanoplatform (GOx–NCs/Fe₃O₄) was designed by absorbing glucose oxidase (GOx) onto the surface of covalent-assembled polymer capsules (NCs) encapsulating Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. With the presence of glucose, GOx could effectively catalyze it to produce H₂O₂ and result in a decrease in pH value, both of which would assist the subsequent Fenton reaction. Encapsulated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles would subsequently trigger H₂O₂ to produce ˙OH, which could make antibacterial CDT come true. More importantly, the polymer capsules exhibited little to no cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells, which might provide more opportunities and potential to apply in other fields.