Fe 3 O 4 magnetic core-shell nanoparticles -a new type of antibacterial material with both cell membrane targeting and synergistic photothermal-antibiotic effects

Abstract

Conventional antimicrobial strategies relying on multiple antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective against drug-resistant strains, highlighting the urgent need for non-antibiotic-dependent therapeutic approaches. In this context, nanotechnology-based multifunctional platforms have emerged as a promising frontier in antimicrobial research due to their resistance-free mechanisms, high controllability, and precise targeting capability. This study presents a multifunctional nanoscale system, Fe₃O₄@polydopamine -Vancomycin @DC 2.4 cell membrane (FPVM), designed for the enrichment, recognition, and synergistic eradication of S. aureus. The system features an Fe 3 O 4 core coated with polydopamine, which enhances both photothermal performance and biocompatibility. Vancomycin is subsequently conjugated to the surface to enable specific recognition and bactericidal activity. Finally, the nanoparticles are encapsulated with stimulated dendritic cell (DC) membranes, further reinforcing the targeting ability toward S. aureus. Under 808 nm near-infrared irradiation (1.2 W cm -2 ), the FPVM platform (400 µg mL -1 ) reduced the survival rate of S. aureus to below 5% within 9 h and disrupted over 90% of pre-formed biofilms, demonstrating high photothermal conversion efficiency. In summary, the FPVM system integrates enhanced targeting and antibacterial functions, offering a versatile blueprint for constructing next-generation antimicrobial platforms.