Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Revealing the Ferroptotic Phenotype of Medulloblastoma
Published on: March 15, 2024
Biomimetic sulfur dioxide-releasing Fe single atom Nanozyme for boosting antibacterial infection therapy by
Yuan Fang1, Yan Zhang2, Hanhan Zhu3
1Key Laboratory of Biomaterials of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Abstract:
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) has been recognized as the fourth gasotransmitter and holds great promise for antibacterial infection therapy. However, near-infrared (NIR) laser-triggered SO2-releasing nanoplatforms remain underdeveloped. Herein, a raspberry-like mesoporous Fe single atom nanozyme (Fe mSAz) with NIR-II laser-reinforced peroxidase (POD)-like activity was synthesized to construct a smart SO2-controlled release platform. To this end, the SO2 donor 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride (DN) was first loaded into the pores of Fe mSAz with the aid of a phase change material (PCM), followed by surface functionalization with a macrophage membrane (M), yielding a biomimetic SO2-releasing nanozyme denoted Fe mSAz@DN@M. Upon 1064 nm laser irradiation, the photothermal effect of Fe mSAz@DN@M first induced melting of the PCM to release DN, which subsequently triggered a burst of SO2 generation. In the meantime, 1064 nm laser irradiation enhanced the POD-like activity of Fe mSAz by generating a substantial amount of hydroxyl radical (ꞏOH). As a result, Fe mSAz@DN@M exhibited robust antibacterial efficacy through a synergistic SO2/ꞏOH effect. Mechanistic studies revealed that SO2 and ꞏOH synergistically suppressed bacterial activity by amplifying bacterial ferroptosis-like death. Furthermore, due to macrophage membrane functionalization, Fe mSAz@DN@M achieved highly effective targeting of subcutaneous tissues infected with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in mice. Consequently, Fe mSAz@DN@M also demonstrated excellent in vivo antibacterial infection efficacy through the synergistic SO2 and ꞏOH effect, which not only eradicated the infectious bacteria but also subsequently induced repolarization of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages to promote wound healing.
Related Concept Videos
Biological Methods for Microbial Control
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Microbial Corrosion
Sulfur Assimilation
Antimicrobial Proteins
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles

