Light-Activated Silver Ion Release from Ag₂Te Nanoparticles for Treating Drug-Resistant Bacterial Keratitis

Biofilm and multidrug-resistant bacteria limit therapy effects on bacteria keratitis. Hence, we developed an all-in-one strategy based on a photothermal trigger to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria and eradicate biofilm. In the nanoplatforms, BSA-Ag2Te nanoparticles (NPs) fabricated by a one-step synthesis approach were utilized as photothermal agents to generate low temperature (40–48 °C) and then modified with RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) to increase the drug concentration and retention in the cornea. The heat generated from photothermal therapy can accelerate the Ag+ release. In addition, laser-triggered release of Ag+ can significantly increase the ROS content in the bacteria. This synergistic approach could effectively eradicate multidrug-resistant bacteria and biofilm by photothermal therapy (PPT) and the combination of Ag+ and ROS. Based on the synergistic treatment of PTT, Ag+, and ROS, BSA-Ag2Te@RGD NPs exhibited outstanding antibacterial effects on a mice MRSA-infected keratitis model. BSA-Ag2Te@RGD NPs will be promising candidates for applications of low-temperature PTT in bacterial keratitis treatments.