Selective Photothermal Therapy Based on Lipopolysaccharide Aptamer Functionalized MoS₂ Nanosheet-Coated Gold Nanorods for Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection

Chronic wounds infected by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria have evolved resistance to traditional antibiotic therapy, posing a threat to global public health in recent years. Herein, a selective therapeutic nanorod (MoS₂ -AuNRs-apt) based on molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂ ) nanosheets coated gold nanorods (AuNRs) targeting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is presented. AuNRs have excellent photothermal conversion efficiency in 808 nm laser-guided photothermal therapy (PTT), and the MoS₂ nanosheets coating significantly enhances the biocompatibility of AuNRs. Furthermore, the conjugation of the nanorods with aptamer permits active targeting of LPS on the surface of gram-negative bacteria and a specific anti-inflammatory ability in the multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA)-infected wound murine model. It is concluded that the antimicrobial effect of these nanorods is considerably more significant than non-targeted PTT. Moreover, they can precisely overcome MRPA bacteria by physical damage and effectively reduce excess M1 inflammatory macrophages to accelerate the healing of infected wounds. Overall, this molecular therapeutic strategy displays great potential as a prospective antimicrobial treatment for MRPA infections.