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Methylene Blue-Loaded NanoMOFs: Accumulation in Chlamydia trachomatis Inclusions and Light/Dark Antibacterial Effects
Xiaoli Qi1, Ekaterina Grafskaia2, Zhihao Yu3
1School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141701, Russia.
Abstract:
Metal-organic framework nanoparticles (nanoMOFs) are promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Some of them, including biodegradable porous iron carboxylates are proposed for encapsulation and delivery of antibiotics. Due to the high drug loading capacity and fast internalization kinetics, nanoMOFs are more beneficial for the treatment of intracellular bacterial infections compared to free antibacterial drugs, which poorly accumulate inside the cells because of the inability to cross membrane barriers or have low intracellular retention. However, nanoparticle internalization does not ensure their accumulation in the cell compartment that shelters a pathogen. This study shows the availability of MIL-100(Fe)-based MOF nanoparticles to co-localize with Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular bacterium, in the infected RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, nanoMOFs loaded with photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) exhibit complete photodynamic inactivation of C. trachomatis growth. Simultaneous infection and treatment of RAW264.7 cells with empty nanoMOFs resulted in a bacterial load reduction from 100 to 36% that indicates an intrinsic anti-chlamydial effect of this iron-containing nanomaterial. Thus, our findings suggest the use of iron-based nanoMOFs as a promising drug delivery platform, which contributes to antibacterial effect, for the treatment of chlamydial infections.
Insights
Iron-based metal-organic framework nanoparticles (nanoMOFs) effectively target intracellular bacteria like Chlamydia trachomatis. These nanoMOFs loaded with methylene blue also demonstrate potent photodynamic inactivation, offering a dual approach for treating infections.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Materials Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Metal-organic framework nanoparticles (nanoMOFs) show potential for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery.
- Iron carboxylate nanoMOFs are explored for encapsulating and delivering antibiotics to combat intracellular bacterial infections.
- Conventional antibiotics struggle with cellular uptake and intracellular retention, limiting their efficacy against pathogens within host cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the co-localization of MIL-100(Fe)-based nanoMOFs with Chlamydia trachomatis within infected macrophages.
- To assess the efficacy of nanoMOFs loaded with methylene blue for photodynamic inactivation of C. trachomatis.
- To investigate the intrinsic antibacterial activity of iron-based nanoMOFs against C. trachomatis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized RAW264.7 macrophages infected with C. trachomatis.
- Employed MIL-100(Fe)-based nanoMOFs for co-localization studies and drug delivery.
- Loaded nanoMOFs with methylene blue for photodynamic therapy and tested empty nanoMOFs for intrinsic effects.
Main Results:
- MIL-100(Fe) nanoMOFs successfully co-localized with C. trachomatis in infected macrophages.
- Methylene blue-loaded nanoMOFs achieved complete photodynamic inactivation of C. trachomatis growth.
- Empty nanoMOFs demonstrated an intrinsic anti-chlamydial effect, reducing bacterial load by 64%.
Conclusions:
- Iron-based nanoMOFs are effective drug delivery platforms for intracellular pathogens.
- The nanoMOFs exhibit both intrinsic antibacterial properties and enhanced therapeutic effects when loaded with photosensitizers.
- This study highlights the potential of iron-based nanoMOFs for treating chlamydial infections through a combined drug delivery and antibacterial strategy.
