H₂O₂-Driven Aggregation Induced Emission-Based Nanomotors for the Monitoring and Treatment of Infected Surgical Wound

Post-operative surgical wound monitoring remains a significant clinical challenge in preventing bacterial infection. Current methods rely on indirect observations or costly investigations, often detecting infections only after complications arise. Here the medical sutures coated with Janus-type nanomotors (Pt-MOFs) with infected microenvironment-responsive properties for monitoring and treating surgical site infections are prepared. The Pt-MOFs nanomotors exhibit efficient self-propulsion with enhanced penetration and diffusion in biofilms by catalyzing hydrogen peroxide to produce oxygen bubbles. Copper ions serve dual roles as structural nodes and Fenton-like catalysts, generating antibacterial hydroxyl radicals while forming non-emissive self-aggregates. Here in vitro is shown that Pt-MOFs nanomotors present excellent bacterial imaging and enhanced antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. As a proof of concept, Pt-MOFs nanomotors coated surgical sutures successfully monitor the process of Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds on mouse model. Furthermore, in vivo studies testify that Pt-MOFs nanomotors play an important role in treating infected surgical wounds through mitigating inflammatory infiltrates, facilitating collagen deposition and accelerating reepithelialization. This combined monitoring and treatment approach offers a promising strategy for surgical wound healing.