Bioorthogonal aggregation-induced emission nanoprobes for targeted photodynamic eradication of Gram-negative pathogens in periodontitis
TL;DR
A materials-based, non-antibiotic approach for periodontal therapy with improved precision and microecological compatibility is highlighted, which reduces the risk of drug resistance and minimizes nonspecific disturbance to the oral microbiota by precisely targeting Gram-negative bacteria.
Abstract
Periodontitis is a bacteria-driven immune–inflammatory disease associated with progressive periodontal tissue destruction and alveolar bone loss. Conventional treatments rely heavily on broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can promote antimicrobial resistance and disrupt the oral microbiota. Herein, we report a bioorthogonal aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based nanoprobe, AIE@PEG-DBCO, designed for the selective imaging and photodynamic elimination of Gram-negative periodontal pathogens. By exploiting the metabolic incorporation of 8-azido-3,8-dideoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (KDO-N3) into the lipopolysaccharide of Gram-negative bacteria, AIE@PEG-DBCO enables strain-selective fluorescence turn-on and efficient reactive oxygen species generation upon light irradiation. Using Porphyromonas gingivalis as a representative pathogen, the nanoprobe demonstrated effective antibacterial activity and significantly alleviated experimental periodontitis in a rat model. Compared with conventional antibiotic-based therapies, this strategy reduces the risk of drug resistance and minimizes nonspecific disturbance to the oral microbiota by precisely targeting Gram-negative bacteria. This work highlights a materials-based, non-antibiotic approach for periodontal therapy with improved precision and microecological compatibility.