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Published on: March 31, 2021
Antibacterial Bio-heterojunctions Targeting Biofilm for Caries Treatment
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
A novel hyaluronic acid-based MXene/CuS bio-heterojunction (MCH) effectively targets and eliminates dental caries biofilms using environment-activated phototherapy. This advanced material offers on-demand release and potent antibacterial action, improving dental caries treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Dental Research
Background:
- Phototherapy is crucial for dental caries management due to its antibacterial properties.
- Challenges in phototherapy include material retention in oral fluids and targeted biofilm delivery.
- Existing methods lack efficient targeting and on-demand release, reducing efficacy and increasing side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an intelligent, environment-activated photoresponsive material for enhanced dental caries treatment.
- To create a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based MXene/CuS (MCH) bio-heterojunction for targeted biofilm elimination.
- To evaluate the efficacy of MCH combined with near-infrared (NIR) irradiation for synergistic photothermal and photodynamic therapy.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based MXene/CuS (MCH) bio-heterojunction.
- Activation of MCH by hyaluronidase (HAase) in the cariogenic biofilm microenvironment for on-demand release.
- Application of near-infrared (NIR) irradiation for synergistic photothermal and photodynamic therapy.
- In vitro evaluation of MCH's degradation, release kinetics, antibacterial efficacy, and cytotoxicity.
- In vivo assessment of antibacterial efficacy and caries prevention in rat models.
Main Results:
- MCH demonstrated HAase-triggered degradation and sustained release of MXene/CuS (MC) bio-heterojunction within biofilms, even under fluidic conditions.
- Synergistic photothermal and photodynamic therapy via NIR irradiation effectively eliminated bacteria and biofilms.
- In vitro studies showed no significant cytotoxicity to oral cells.
- In vivo experiments confirmed excellent antibacterial efficacy and significant caries prevention in rat molars.
Conclusions:
- The MCH bio-heterojunction represents a pioneering, microenvironment-activated photoresponsive material for dental caries treatment.
- This intelligent system overcomes challenges of material retention and on-demand release, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
- The developed approach shows significant promise for advanced dental caries prevention and therapy.
