Iron‐Hijacking Trojan Horse Nanoplatform Combats Implant‐Associated Biofilm Infections Through Immuno‐Fibrotic Remodeling

ABSTRACT Implant‐associated biofilm infections persist due to a vicious cycle of biofilm resilience and fibrosis‐driven immune exclusion. To break this cycle, we engineered a photothermal nanoplatform (CHPB@H) consisting of curcumin‐loaded hollow Prussian blue (CHPB) nanoparticles embedded in an injectable thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel for near‐infrared (NIR)‐triggered local delivery. Upon NIR irradiation, the platform releases iron ions and curcumin that self‐assemble into Fe‐curcumin (Fe‐Cur) complexes. These complexes act as a molecular “Trojan horse” that hijacks bacterial iron‐acquisition pathways to induce ferroptosis. Concurrently, CHPB scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) via its intrinsic nanozyme activity and suppresses oxidative stress‐driven fibroblast activation, thereby dismantling the fibrotic barrier that excludes immune effector cells. This dual action eliminates biofilms and restores immune cell infiltration into the infection site. In preclinical animal models, the therapy clears established implant infections, remodels the immune‐fibrotic microenvironment, and promotes tissue regeneration. This work establishes a “clear‐and‐remodel” paradigm that integrates active targeted ferroptosis (via iron hijacking) with immuno‐fibrotic remodeling, offering a translatable strategy for complex implant‐associated biofilm infections.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Materials
Published
2026-06-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.73711
Primary Topic
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
Type
article
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article

Iron‐Hijacking Trojan Horse Nanoplatform Combats Implant‐Associated Biofilm Infections Through Immuno‐Fibrotic Remodeling

L Zhang, Fanggang Bi, Xiaochun Peng, Daifeng Li et al.
Advanced Materials
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
article

Iron‐Hijacking Trojan Horse Nanoplatform Combats Implant‐Associated Biofilm Infections Through Immuno‐Fibrotic Remodeling

L Zhang, Fanggang Bi, Xiaochun Peng, Daifeng Li, Lisha Zhang, Jian Chen, S S Lu, Dongdong Xu, Lin Luo
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Implant‐associated biofilm infections persist due to a vicious cycle of biofilm resilience and fibrosis‐driven immune exclusion. To break this cycle, we engineered a photothermal nanoplatform (CHPB@H) consisting of curcumin‐loaded hollow Prussian blue (CHPB) nanoparticles embedded in an injectable thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel for near‐infrared (NIR)‐triggered local delivery. Upon NIR irradiation, the platform releases iron ions and curcumin that self‐assemble into Fe‐curcumin (Fe‐Cur) complexes. These complexes act as a molecular “Trojan horse” that hijacks bacterial iron‐acquisition pathways to induce ferroptosis. Concurrently, CHPB scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) via its intrinsic nanozyme activity and suppresses oxidative stress‐driven fibroblast activation, thereby dismantling the fibrotic barrier that excludes immune effector cells. This dual action eliminates biofilms and restores immune cell infiltration into the infection site. In preclinical animal models, the therapy clears established implant infections, remodels the immune‐fibrotic microenvironment, and promotes tissue regeneration. This work establishes a “clear‐and‐remodel” paradigm that integrates active targeted ferroptosis (via iron hijacking) with immuno‐fibrotic remodeling, offering a translatable strategy for complex implant‐associated biofilm infections.

Advanced Materials
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN), Zhengzhou University (CN), Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital (CN), Sanya University (CN), First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
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