Controllable Assembly of Cu²⁺ and Chlorin E6 for H₂ S-Activatable Recognition of Bacterial Infection and Enhanced...

Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (APDT) has emerged as one of the intriguing strategies to combat bacterial resistance. However, the antibacterial efficacy of APDT is found to be severely impacted by the hydrogen sulfide (H₂ S)-overproduced bacterial infection microenvironment. Herein, a multifunctional APDT platform is developed by assembling Cu²⁺ and chlorin e6 (Ce6), which exhibits unique H₂ S-activatable fluorescence (FL) and antibacterial features. Noteworthily, the assembly conditions are crucial for achievement of Cu-Ce6 nanoassemblies (NAs) with the on-demand responsive properties. The quenched FL and photosensitization of Cu-Ce6 NAs can be selectively activated by the overexpressed H₂ S in infected area, enabling specific recognition of bacterial infection and localized antibacterial therapy with minimized side effects. Significantly, amplified oxidative stress is achieved owning to the effective consumption of H₂ S by Cu²⁺ in the NAs, leading to an enhanced APDT. The antibacterial mechanisms including broad-spectrum APDT activity of released Ce6, inherent sterilization effects of produced copper polysulfides and the accompanying disturbance of bacterial sulphide metabolism are further identified. This study may pave a new avenue for the rational design of intelligent APDT platform using minimalist biological building units and thus facilitating the clinical translation of nano-antibacterial agents.