Selenium-vacancy-mediated NiCoSe nanoplatforms with NIR-II amplified nanozymes for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-infected pneumonia

Abstract

The clinical management of bacterial pneumonia (BP) induced by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens poses substantial therapeutic challenges, necessitating urgent development of novel antibacterial agents and treatment paradigms, particularly those targeting deep-tissue biofilms. While reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated nanozyme-catalyzed therapy represents a promising therapeutic strategy, its effectiveness remains limited by the suboptimal nanozyme biocatalytic efficiency and restricted therapeutic efficacy of monomodal approaches. To address these challenges, we engineered selenium vacancy-enriched nickel–cobalt selenide (NiCoSe) nanoplatforms demonstrating dual functional capabilities: exceptional biocatalytic performance and superior photothermal conversion efficiency within the second near-infrared window (NIR-II). Systematic evaluations revealed that the NiCoSe platform facilitates robust ROS generation, achieving potent bactericidal effects while synergistically accelerating biofilm eradication through NIR-II photothermal activation. This combined therapeutic modality establishes NiCoSe as a promising candidate for anti-infective treatment of MDR-BP. Our findings not only present an innovative strategy for combating deep-seated bacterial infections but also advance the translational potential of nanozyme-based therapeutics in clinical nanomedicine.