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Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties
Published on: January 8, 2016
Exploring the potential of nanoparticles-based polydopamine for effective treatment of refractory keratitis: Mild
Liming Xu1, Hanwen Guo1, Yiming Zhong1
1National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Abstract:
Keratitis is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. In refractory cases, it can even lead to eyeball enucleation. The critical challenges of refractory keratitis are the drug-resistant bacteria and bacterial biofilms formation. Therefore, we established an innovative therapeutic approach for keratitis based on mild photothermal loop (MPL) therapy. First, we analyzed the bactericidal effect of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) under various loops and temperature durations to determine the optimal condition. Then, RAN-seq was applied to explore the underlying mechanisms. Additionally, we formulated a dual-purpose polyvinyl alcohol-polydopamine (PDA/PVA) hydrogel system and explored its effects on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capability, antibacterial properties, and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro, as well as its effect in vivo. The results indicated substantial bactericidal properties after exposure in four loops, each lasting 10 min at 45 °C. RNA-seq revealed the altered genes related to virulence and biofilm formation. In addition to good photothermal performance, the PDA/PVA system could effectively eliminate MRSA, reduce ROS, inhibit biofilm formation, and decrease inflammatory factors expression. Moreover, the in vivo results demonstrated the potential of MPL for bacterial keratitis. This study serves as the first attempt to use MPL therapy for refractory keratitis, offering a new approach for clinical practice.
