A rational design of copper–selenium nanoclusters that cures sepsis by consuming endogenous H2S to trigger photothermal therapy and ROS burst

Abstract

The treatment of sepsis caused by bacterial infections is still a huge clinical challenge. As sepsis causes high levels of endogenous H₂S in vivo, researchers can design nanomedicines to treat sepsis by in situ sulfurization. Here, we designed and synthesized Cu₂O-coated non-metallic core–shell selenium nanoparticles. To cure mice sepsis by ROS burst. Our experimental data displayed that the photothermal effect of Se@Cu₉S₈ produced by the reaction of Se@Cu₂O and endogenous H₂S is synergistically antibacterial, and Se@Cu₂O has the characteristics of low side effects and high biocompatibility. In summary, our research results verified our design, that copper–selenium nanoclusters may be an efficient strategy to cure sepsis by in situ sulfurization of endogenous H₂S, triggering ROS eruptions and photothermal therapy.