Bacteria-Responsive Biomimetic Selenium Nanosystem for Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infection Detection and Inhibition

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections are a severe threat to public health owing to their high risk of fatality. Noticeably, the premature degradation and undeveloped imaging ability of antibiotics still remain challenging. Herein, a selenium nanosystem in response to a bacteria-infected microenvironment is proposed as an antibiotic substitute to detect and inhibit methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) with a combined strategy. Using natural red blood cell membrane (RBCM) and bacteria-responsive gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs), the Ru-Se@GNP-RBCM nanosystem was constructed for effective delivery of Ru-complex-modified selenium nanoparticles (Ru-Se NPs). Taking advantage of natural RBCM, the immune system clearance was reduced and exotoxins were neutralized efficiently. GNPs could be degraded by gelatinase in pathogen-infected areas <i>in situ</i>; therefore, Ru-Se NPs were released to destroy the bacteria cells. Ru-Se NPs with intense fluorescence imaging capability could accurately monitor the infection treatment process. Moreover, excellent <i>in vivo</i> bacteria elimination and a facilitated wound healing process were confirmed by two kinds of MRSA-infected mice models. Overall, the above advantages proved that the prepared nanosystem is a promising antibiotic alternative to combat the ever-threatening multidrug-resistant bacteria.