Near-infrared-excited upconversion photodynamic therapy of extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii based on lanthanide nanoparticles

Nanoscale. 2020 Jul 14;12(26):13948-13957. doi: 10.1039/d0nr01073a. Epub 2020 May 12.

Abstract

Extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDR-AB) has raised considerable concerns due to its mortal damage to humans and its high transmission rate of infections in hospitals. However, current antibiotics not only show poor anti-infection effects in vivo but also frequently cause high nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Herein, we report a near-infrared (NIR) light-initiated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) to effectively treat in vivo XDR-AB infections based on photosensitizer (PS) loaded upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs, LiYF4:Yb/Er). Such nanoagents feature robust NIR triggered UC luminescence and high-efficiency energy transfer from UCNPs to the loaded PS, thereby allowing NIR-triggered generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for destroying the bacterial cell membrane. This strategy permits a high antibacterial activity against XDR-AB, resulting in a decline of 4.72 log10 in viability at a dose of 50 μg mL-1 UCNPs-PVP-RB with 980 nm laser irradiation (1 W cm-2). More significantly, we can achieve excellent therapeutic efficacy against deep-tissue (about 5 mm) XDR-AB infections without causing any side effects in the murine model. In brief, such NIR-activated aPDT may open up new avenues for treating various deep-tissue intractable infections.

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter baumannii*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Lanthanoid Series Elements*
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations*
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Lanthanoid Series Elements
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Photosensitizing Agents