A Mucous Permeable Local Delivery Strategy Based on Manganese-Enhanced Bacterial Cuproptosis-like Death for Bacterial

Shiyuan Hua1,2,3, Huiqun Hu4, Jin Liu2

  • 1Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310009, China.

ACS Nano
|November 7, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a novel copper nanoparticle that induces cuproptosis-like cell death in aerobic bacteria, offering a new treatment for bacterial pneumonia. The nanoparticle effectively targets lung infections while minimizing systemic toxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Bacterial pneumonia presents significant global health challenges due to high morbidity and mortality.
  • Antibiotic resistance and bacterial biofilms necessitate innovative therapeutic strategies.
  • Existing metal-based antibacterial materials face limitations in oxygen-rich lung environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design a copper composite nanoparticle capable of inducing cuproptosis-like death in aerobic bacteria.
  • To overcome in vivo application challenges for cuproptosis-based therapies.
  • To develop an effective treatment for aerobic bacterial pneumonia with reduced systemic toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Incorporation of manganese dioxide to deplete glutathione and enhance copper's antibacterial action.
  • Development of positively hydrophilic modified composite nanoparticles for efficient lung mucus penetration.
  • Local administration of nanoparticles to the infected site for targeted copper ion release.
  • Utilizing the acidic environment of infection sites to accelerate copper ion release and biofilm disruption.

Main Results:

  • The copper composite nanoparticle effectively induced cuproptosis-like death in aerobic lung bacteria.
  • Manganese dioxide incorporation enhanced antibacterial efficacy by depleting glutathione.
  • The nanoparticle system demonstrated efficient penetration of lung mucus and targeted drug delivery.
  • Rapid release of copper ions in acidic infected environments synergistically disrupted bacterial biofilms.

Conclusions:

  • The developed copper composite nanoparticle offers a promising therapeutic strategy for aerobic bacterial pneumonia.
  • The nanoparticle system effectively treats pneumonia by inducing bacterial cell death and disrupting biofilms.
  • Local administration and targeted ion release minimize systemic toxicity associated with copper-based therapies.