Bacteria eat nanoprobes for aggregation-enhanced imaging and killing diverse microorganisms

Abstract Currently optical-based techniques for in vivo microbial population imaging are limited by low imaging depth and highly light-scattering tissue; and moreover, are generally effective against only one specific group of bacteria. Here, we introduce an imaging and therapy strategy, in which di...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yunmin Yang, Binbin Chu, Jiayi Cheng, Jiali Tang, Bin Song, Houyu Wang, Yao He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2022-03-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-28920-6
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Summary:Abstract Currently optical-based techniques for in vivo microbial population imaging are limited by low imaging depth and highly light-scattering tissue; and moreover, are generally effective against only one specific group of bacteria. Here, we introduce an imaging and therapy strategy, in which different bacteria actively eat the glucose polymer (GP)-modified gold nanoparticles through ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter pathway, followed by laser irradiation-mediated aggregation in the bacterial cells. As a result, the aggregates display ~15.2-fold enhancement in photoacoustic signals and ~3.0-fold enhancement in antibacterial rate compared with non-aggregated counterparts. Significantly, the developed strategy allows ultrasensitive imaging of bacteria in vivo as low ~105 colony-forming unit (CFU), which is around two orders of magnitude lower than most optical contrast agents. We further demonstrate the developed strategy enables the detection of ~107 CFU bacteria residing within tumour or gut. This technique enables visualization and treatment of diverse bacteria, setting the crucial step forward the study of microbial ecosystem.
ISSN:2041-1723