Multifunctional nano-delivery system based on DNase I and photodynamic therapy for combatting enterococcus faecalis biofilm infections

Abstract Persistent or refractory apical periodontitis is primarily caused by microbial retention, as conventional root canal treatment often fails to eliminate infections completely, and systemic antibiotic therapy is insufficient to achieve effective concentrations for eradicating bacterial biofil...

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Main Authors: Meng Xia, Shisheng Cao, Zeqi Liu, Jiakang Zhao, Yibo Yuan, Jianhui Ni, Zhengjian Guo, Weihan Wang, Huijuan Yin, Zhaohui Zou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06340-y
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author Meng Xia
Shisheng Cao
Zeqi Liu
Jiakang Zhao
Yibo Yuan
Jianhui Ni
Zhengjian Guo
Weihan Wang
Huijuan Yin
Zhaohui Zou
author_facet Meng Xia
Shisheng Cao
Zeqi Liu
Jiakang Zhao
Yibo Yuan
Jianhui Ni
Zhengjian Guo
Weihan Wang
Huijuan Yin
Zhaohui Zou
author_sort Meng Xia
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Persistent or refractory apical periodontitis is primarily caused by microbial retention, as conventional root canal treatment often fails to eliminate infections completely, and systemic antibiotic therapy is insufficient to achieve effective concentrations for eradicating bacterial biofilms within root canals. This highlights the urgent need for novel therapeutics offering safe and effective antimicrobial strategies. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising approach for root canal disinfection. However, commonly used photosensitizers such as Ce6 suffer from poor water solubility and strong aggregation tendencies, resulting in limited penetration into infected sites. In this study, we developed a DNase I-Lip@Ce6 nanodelivery system by combining deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) with liposome-encapsulated Ce6. The liposomal carrier facilitated efficient delivery of Ce6 into target bacterial cells, while DNase I degraded extracellular DNA in the biofilm matrix, weakening its protective barrier. This synergistically enhanced Ce6 penetration and therapeutic efficacy, leading to the successful eradication of planktonic Enterococcus faecalis and in vitro biofilms. This strategy offers a novel approach for the precision treatment of persistent oral infections and holds strong potential for clinical translation.
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issn 2045-2322
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-ca0fccc3c86b4330b9f7dc06c6f012fa2025-08-20T04:01:34ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-06340-yMultifunctional nano-delivery system based on DNase I and photodynamic therapy for combatting enterococcus faecalis biofilm infectionsMeng Xia0Shisheng Cao1Zeqi Liu2Jiakang Zhao3Yibo Yuan4Jianhui Ni5Zhengjian Guo6Weihan Wang7Huijuan Yin8Zhaohui Zou9Tianjin Medical University, School and Hospital of StomatologyTianjin Medical University, School and Hospital of StomatologyChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Biomedical EngineeringChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Biomedical EngineeringTianjin Medical University, School and Hospital of StomatologyTianjin Medical University, School and Hospital of StomatologyTianjin Medical University, School and Hospital of StomatologyTianjin Medical University, School and Hospital of StomatologyChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Biomedical EngineeringTianjin Medical University, School and Hospital of StomatologyAbstract Persistent or refractory apical periodontitis is primarily caused by microbial retention, as conventional root canal treatment often fails to eliminate infections completely, and systemic antibiotic therapy is insufficient to achieve effective concentrations for eradicating bacterial biofilms within root canals. This highlights the urgent need for novel therapeutics offering safe and effective antimicrobial strategies. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising approach for root canal disinfection. However, commonly used photosensitizers such as Ce6 suffer from poor water solubility and strong aggregation tendencies, resulting in limited penetration into infected sites. In this study, we developed a DNase I-Lip@Ce6 nanodelivery system by combining deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) with liposome-encapsulated Ce6. The liposomal carrier facilitated efficient delivery of Ce6 into target bacterial cells, while DNase I degraded extracellular DNA in the biofilm matrix, weakening its protective barrier. This synergistically enhanced Ce6 penetration and therapeutic efficacy, leading to the successful eradication of planktonic Enterococcus faecalis and in vitro biofilms. This strategy offers a novel approach for the precision treatment of persistent oral infections and holds strong potential for clinical translation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06340-yRoot canal infectionAntimicrobial Photodynamic therapy (aPDT)Enterococcus faecalisBiofilmNanodeliveryDNase I
spellingShingle Meng Xia
Shisheng Cao
Zeqi Liu
Jiakang Zhao
Yibo Yuan
Jianhui Ni
Zhengjian Guo
Weihan Wang
Huijuan Yin
Zhaohui Zou
Multifunctional nano-delivery system based on DNase I and photodynamic therapy for combatting enterococcus faecalis biofilm infections
Scientific Reports
Root canal infection
Antimicrobial Photodynamic therapy (aPDT)
Enterococcus faecalis
Biofilm
Nanodelivery
DNase I
title Multifunctional nano-delivery system based on DNase I and photodynamic therapy for combatting enterococcus faecalis biofilm infections
title_full Multifunctional nano-delivery system based on DNase I and photodynamic therapy for combatting enterococcus faecalis biofilm infections
title_fullStr Multifunctional nano-delivery system based on DNase I and photodynamic therapy for combatting enterococcus faecalis biofilm infections
title_full_unstemmed Multifunctional nano-delivery system based on DNase I and photodynamic therapy for combatting enterococcus faecalis biofilm infections
title_short Multifunctional nano-delivery system based on DNase I and photodynamic therapy for combatting enterococcus faecalis biofilm infections
title_sort multifunctional nano delivery system based on dnase i and photodynamic therapy for combatting enterococcus faecalis biofilm infections
topic Root canal infection
Antimicrobial Photodynamic therapy (aPDT)
Enterococcus faecalis
Biofilm
Nanodelivery
DNase I
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06340-y
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