Rapid and effective treatment of chronic osteomyelitis by conductive network-like MoS2/CNTs through multiple
Liguo Jin1, Shuilin Wu1,2,3, Congyang Mao2
1School of Materials Science & Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology By the Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-infected chronic osteomyelitis (COM) is one of the most devastating infectious diseases with a high recurrence rate, often leading to amputation and even death. It is incurable by all the current strategies involving the clinical use of radical debridement and systemic intravenous antibiotics. Here, we reported on a microwave (MW)-assisted therapy for COM by constructing a heterojunction formed by flake nanoflower-shaped molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tubular carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This composite could achieve a combination of MW thermal therapy (MTT) and MW dynamic therapy (MDT) to accurately and rapidly treat COM with deep tissue infection. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that MoS2/CNTs were effective in non-invasively treating S. aureus-induced COM due to the heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced under MW irradiation. The mechanism of heat and ROS generation was explained by MW network vector analysis, density of states (DOS), oxygen adsorption energy, differential charge and finite element (FEM) under MW irradiation. Since the Fermi layer was mainly contributed by the Mo-4d and C-2P orbitals, MoS2/CNTs could store a large amount of charge and easily release more electrons. In addition, charge accumulation and dissipation motion were strong on the surface of and inside MoS2/CNTs because of electromagnetic hot spots, resulting in the spilling out of a great deal of high-energy electrons. Due to the low oxygen adsorption energy of MoS2/CNTs-O2, these high-energy electrons combined further with the adsorbed oxygen to produce ROS.
Insights
This study introduces a novel microwave-assisted therapy using molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to effectively treat Staphylococcus aureus-infected chronic osteomyelitis (COM). The composite generates heat and reactive oxygen species for non-invasive infection eradication.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Chronic osteomyelitis (COM) caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a severe, recurrent infection often resistant to current treatments like debridement and antibiotics.
- Existing therapies for COM have limitations, leading to high recurrence rates, amputation, and mortality.
- There is a critical need for innovative, effective therapeutic strategies for deep-tissue COM infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel microwave (MW)-assisted therapy for treating S. aureus-induced COM.
- To investigate the efficacy of a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and carbon nanotube (CNT) heterojunction composite for combined MW thermal therapy (MTT) and MW dynamic therapy (MDT).
- To elucidate the mechanisms behind heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation under MW irradiation for COM treatment.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a MoS2/CNT heterojunction composite with flake nanoflower and tubular structures.
- Application of microwave (MW) irradiation to the MoS2/CNT composite for activating therapeutic effects.
- In vitro and in vivo experiments to assess the efficacy of the MW-assisted therapy against S. aureus COM.
- Computational analysis including MW network vector analysis, density of states (DOS), oxygen adsorption energy, differential charge, and finite element modeling (FEM) to understand ROS generation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The MoS2/CNT composite effectively treated S. aureus-induced COM in both in vitro and in vivo models.
- MW irradiation of MoS2/CNTs generated significant heat (MTT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (MDT), leading to non-invasive eradication of deep-tissue infections.
- Analysis revealed that the MoS2/CNT heterojunction facilitates charge accumulation and release, enhanced by electromagnetic hot spots, promoting ROS production via interaction with adsorbed oxygen.
Conclusions:
- The developed MoS2/CNT composite, activated by microwave irradiation, presents a promising strategy for effectively treating chronic osteomyelitis.
- The combined MW thermal and dynamic therapy mechanism, driven by heat and ROS generation, offers a non-invasive approach for deep-tissue infections.
- This innovative approach holds potential for overcoming the limitations of current treatments for recurrent and difficult-to-treat osteomyelitis.
