Phenylboronic acid modified Ag2S NPs for bacterial targeting photothermal antibacterial therapy and promotion of wound healing

Abstract

Photothermal therapy is an antibacterial strategy based on the photothermal conversion effect, characterized by rapid action and a low tendency for resistance. However, traditional photothermal materials often lack the ability to specifically target bacteria, which limits their precise bactericidal efficacy in complex infection environments. A nanoplatform integrating photothermal therapy and targeted antibacterial action, composed of the targeting fragment 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid, photothermal agent Ag₂S, and stabilizer phycocyanin (PBA-Ag₂S@PC NPs), has been successfully established. The experimental results indicate that PBA-Ag₂S@PC NPs exhibit exceptional photothermal conversion capabilities and demonstrate targeted antibacterial effects, enhanced by photothermal action, against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Both in vitro and in vivo tests confirm the excellent biocompatibility of PBA-Ag₂S@PC NPs and their potential to promote wound healing. Overall, the constructed PBA-Ag₂S@PC NPs represent an efficient targeted photothermal antibacterial nanoplatform, demonstrating significant potential for promoting the repair of infected wounds.