Supramolecular Switching-Enabled\nQuorum Sensing Trap\nfor Pathogen-Specific Recognition and Eradication to Treat Enteritis

Intestinal bacterial infections have become a significant\nthreat\nto human health. However, the current typical antibiotic-based therapies\nnot only contribute to drug resistance but also disrupt gut microbiota\nbalance, resulting in additional adverse effects on life activities.\nThere is an urgent need to develop new antibacterial materials that\nselectively eliminate pathogenic bacteria without disrupting beneficial\nbacterial communities or promoting drug resistance. Herein, we utilize\nbacterial quorum sensing (QS), a universal mechanism for regulating\ncommunity behavior, to develop a supramolecular QS trap by encapsulating\ncucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) on 1-vinyl-3-pentylimidazolium bromide ([VPIM]Br)\nto form a supramolecular switch ([VPIM]Br⊂CB[7]) through host–guest\ninteractions followed by grafting it onto bacterial cell surfaces\nusing atom transfer radical polymerization. Subsequently, the matched\npathogens are recognized and aggregated through interbacterial QS\nsignals. Furthermore, the addition of amantadine (AD) facilitates\nthe release of [VPIM]Br by competitive binding of CB[7] on [VPIM]Br⊂CB[7]\nfor sterilization. This QS trap specifically triggers the self-aggregation\nand efficient elimination of matched bacteria. The [VPIM]Br⊂CB[7]-based\ntrap can increase the diversity and abundance of intestinal microorganisms\nin mice, effectively treating Escherichia coli K88-induced intestinal damage without perturbing gut microbiota\nbalance. This supramolecular-switched QS trap opens up a promising\navenue to specifically recognize and eradicate pathogens for the antibiotic-free\ntreatment of intestinal bacterial infections and other inflammatory\ndiseases.