Atomically engineered asymmetric nanozymes with enhanced photothermal-catalytic performance for periodontitis therapy and tooth whitening.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 42580612.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1016/j.actbio.2026.08.011.
- No licence information is recorded for this record.
- Because redistribution is not established, this page shows the abstract only. Follow the links below for the full text.
Abstract
Conventional periodontitis treatments are constrained by challenges such as antibiotic resistance and inadequate tissue regeneration. Herein, we rationally engineer a robust Fe/Mn bimetallic nanozyme (Fe/Mn-Bzyme) derived from a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 precursor, featuring atomically asymmetric Fe-Mn dual-atom active sites with the Mn<sub>1</sub>-Fe<sub>1</sub>-O<sub>1</sub>-Mn<sub>1</sub>-N<sub>3</sub> coordination environment meticulously embedded within a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix. This tailored structure endows the nanozyme with peroxidase-like (POD) activity, which is synergistically amplified by robust near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion. The NIR-driven localized heating dramatically accelerates catalytic kinetics, orchestrating a tunable burst of hydroxyl radical (•OH) generation from endogenous H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, which confers robust antibacterial action against Porphyromonas gingivalis (99.47% ± 0.23%) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (99.52% ± 0.27%). Additionally, Fe/Mn-Bzyme demonstrates proactive bioactivity, promoting osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts and fostering a pro-angiogenic microenvironment. In a rat periodontitis model, a topical Fe/Mn-Bzyme ointment effectively eliminated infections, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, mitigated systemic inflammation, and inhibited osteoclast activity, thereby creating a pro‑regenerative microenvironment conducive to subsequent periodontal tissue healing. Furthermore, its robust catalytic activity enabled superior, enamel-preserving tooth whitening compared to conventional H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>. This work presents a versatile nanozyme platform that integrates synergistic antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and pro-regenerative functions, offering a powerful strategy for managing complex oral diseases. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of this work lies in the rational design of an atomically dispersed bimetallic nanozyme that harnesses synergistic photothermal-catalytic effects for integrated oral disease management. The Fe/Mn-Bzyme outperforms conventional single-function therapies, offering a powerful and translatable strategy that simultaneously addresses infection, inflammation, tissue destruction, and aesthetic concerns.