Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Solvothermal Synthesis of MIL-96 and UiO-66-NH2 on Atomic Layer Deposited Metal Oxide Coatings on Fiber Mats
Published on: June 13, 2018
Nano-metal-organic-frameworks for treating H2O2-Secreting bacteria alleviate pulmonary injury and prevent systemic
Yi Wu1, Wei Jiang2, Shaohu Huo3
1Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, PR China.
Abstract:
As a vital bacteria-secreted toxin, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can destroy infected tissues and increase vascular permeability, leading to life-threatening systemic bacteremia or sepsis. No strategy that can alleviate H2O2-induced injury and prevent systemic sepsis has been reported. Herein, as a proof of concept, we demonstrate the use of H2O2-reactive metal-organic framework nanosystems (MOFs) for treating H2O2-secreting bacteria. In mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) isolated from patients, MOFs efficiently accumulate in the lungs after systemic administration due to infection-induced alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction. Moreover, MOFs sequester pneumococcal H2O2, reduce endothelial DNA damage, and prevent systemic dissemination of bacteria. In addition, this nanosystem exhibits excellent chemodynamic bactericidal effects against drug-resistant bacteria. Through synergistic therapy with the antibiotic ampicillin, MOFs eliminate over 98% of invading S. pneumoniae, resulting in a survival rate of greater than 90% in mice infected with a lethal dose of S. pneumoniae. This work opens up new paths for the clinical treatment of toxin-secreting bacteria.
Insights
Metal-organic framework nanosystems (MOFs) neutralize hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from bacteria, protecting tissues and preventing sepsis. This novel approach shows promise for treating infections caused by toxin-secreting bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Infectious Disease Research
Background:
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a bacteria-secreted toxin, causes tissue damage and increases vascular permeability, potentially leading to sepsis.
- Current strategies to mitigate H2O2-induced injury and prevent sepsis are lacking.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae infections pose a significant threat due to H2O2 production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of H2O2-reactive metal-organic framework nanosystems (MOFs) for treating H2O2-secreting bacterial infections.
- To evaluate the efficacy of MOFs in preventing systemic sepsis and reducing H2O2-induced damage.
- To explore the synergistic therapeutic effects of MOFs with antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- Systemic administration of H2O2-reactive MOFs in a mouse model of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.
- Assessment of MOF accumulation in infected lungs.
- Evaluation of MOF's ability to sequester H2O2, reduce endothelial DNA damage, and prevent bacterial dissemination.
- Testing of MOFs' chemodynamic bactericidal effects against drug-resistant bacteria.
- Combination therapy with ampicillin.
Main Results:
- MOFs efficiently accumulated in the lungs of infected mice.
- MOFs effectively sequestered bacterial H2O2, reduced endothelial DNA damage, and prevented systemic bacterial spread.
- The nanosystem demonstrated potent chemodynamic bactericidal activity against drug-resistant bacteria.
- Synergistic therapy with ampicillin eliminated over 98% of S. pneumoniae and resulted in >90% survival in mice challenged with a lethal dose.
Conclusions:
- H2O2-reactive MOFs represent a novel strategy for treating H2O2-secreting bacterial infections.
- This nanosystem effectively mitigates H2O2-induced damage and prevents sepsis.
- MOFs offer a promising platform for synergistic therapy against bacterial infections, including those caused by drug-resistant strains.
