NIR-II-Activated iridium single-atom nanozymes for synergistic antibacterial therapy and tissue regeneration in MRSA-infected wounds and acute lung injury

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a major pathogen in ventilator-associated pneumonia and wound infections. To address the limitations of traditional antibiotics, we developed a novel iridium-based single-atom catalyst (Ir/CN SAC) anchored on a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix....

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Danyan Wang, Hui Jin, Yetao Shen, Dandan Wang, Jingjing He, Jinmiao Qu, Xiaojun He, Zhengli Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-09-01
Series:Bioactive Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452199X25002166
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Summary:Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a major pathogen in ventilator-associated pneumonia and wound infections. To address the limitations of traditional antibiotics, we developed a novel iridium-based single-atom catalyst (Ir/CN SAC) anchored on a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix. Engineered for ultra-low metal loading and maximal active site exposure, this catalyst integrates robust photothermal and catalytic functionalities. Under second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1270 nm) irradiation, the Ir/CN SAC efficiently converts light to heat and catalytically generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), achieving a potent photothermal-catalytic synergistic effect. This dual-action mechanism enabled rapid bacterial eradication in vitro and significantly accelerated wound healing and lung tissue repair in MRSA-infected in vivo models. Transcriptomic analyses revealed downregulation of pro-inflammatory pathways, shedding light on the immunomodulatory roles of the treatment. Notably, the Ir/CN SAC exhibited negligible toxicity and enhanced peroxidase-mimicking activity via thermal activation. Collectively, the Ir/CN SAC presents a promising strategy for treating MRSA infections in wounds and the lungs via a synergistic treatment model.
ISSN:2452-199X