Cu/Cu₂O Heterostructure Nanoplatform Driven Photo-Thermoelectric Catalysis Targets LuxS and Agr Dual Quorum Sensing...

The formation of multidrug-resistant barriers dominated by biofilms is a intelligent living of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), resulting in refractory infections. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related biocatalysis triggered by nanomaterials have demonstrated outstanding resistance-free advantages, while the therapeutic effectiveness is limited by the output and permeability into biofilms. Thus, we introduce a Cu-based nanoplatform (Cu/Cu₂O@C@P NPs) utilizing high-performance photo-thermoelectric catalysis (PTEC) strategy to target LuxS and Agr dual quorum sensing (QS) systems of MRSA, resulting in a customized destruction procedure for combat MRSA. Herein, heterointerfaces engineering Cu/Cu₂O as the core structure featured abundant Cu vacancies einforced the conductivity and photo-thermoelectric transformation of nanocomposite, while the mesoporous graphite was designed as shell structure to optimize the thermal conductivity, ultimately achieving an ultrahigh photothermal conversion efficiency (69.44%) and efficient PTEC. Combining multimodal catalytic mechanisms, the generated high-yield ROS degraded QS signals both of LuxS and Agr systems, manifesting in loosening biofilms and inhibiting efflux pumps. Eventually, Cu/Cu₂O@C@P NPs fundamentally curbed drug resistance to actualize the full-stage obliteration of MRSA infection, preferentially mitigated inflammatory responses, and accelerated wound healing. Overall, this study represents the innovative nanoplatform design of PTEC therapy, and provides that binding QS as a promising strategy for combat drug-resistant bacteria.