Polydopamine-modified phycocyanin nanoparticles with photothermal antimicrobial activity promote skin wound healing in mice

doi:10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2025.09.15

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the photothermal and antibacterial activities of polydopamine-modified phycocyanin nanoparticles (PDA@PC NPs) and their capacity for promoting wound healing. Methods PDA@PC NPs were synthesized from phycocyanin (C-PC) and dopamine hydrochloride using a one-pot method. The photothermal activity of the nanoparticles was assessed in vitro by 808 nm laser irradiation, their biocompatibility was evaluated using CCK-8 assay, and their photothermal antibacterial activity by plate colony counting. In adult male BALB/c mice, two symmetrical full-thickness skin wounds (1.0 cm ×1.0 cm) were created on both sides of the spine, and 200 μL of Staphylococcus aureus suspension was inoculated into the wounds. The mice were divided into control group, PDA@PC NPs group, and PDA@PC NPs with laser irradiation group, and wound healing rates and histomorphological changes in the wound tissues were evaluated on days 0, 7 and 14 after modeling. Results The synthesized PDA@PC NPs exhibited no obvious cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 500 μg/mL and showed strong photothermal and antibacterial activities in response to 808 nm laser irradiation. In the mouse models, the size of the infected skin wounds showed substantial reduction at 7 and 14 days in PDA@PC NPs group and PDA@PC NPs with laser irradiation group, and the mean wound healing rate was faster in the latter group. HE staining and Masson's trichrome staining revealed extensive granulation tissue formation and collagen deposition on the wound surfaces in both of the treatment groups, and these changes were more obvious in the PDA@PC NPs with laser irradiation group. Conclusion PDA@PC NPs possess excellent photothermal and antibacterial activities and can effectively promote wound healing in mice.

Key words: polydopamine, phycocyanin, photothermal therapy, wound healing

Chen ZHANG, Zhi XU, Xiang LI, Pengyixiang HE, Kailin QU, Qi NING, Yile JIN, Surui YANG, Xu WU. Polydopamine-modified phycocyanin nanoparticles with photothermal antimicrobial activity promote skin wound healing in mice[J]. Journal of Southern Medical University, 2025, 45(9): 1959-1966.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig.1 DLS of PDA@PC NPs in water (A), electron microscopy image of PDA@PC NPs (B), and its infrared spectra (C).

Fig.2 Ultraviolet absorption spectrum and photothermal characterization of the nanoparticles. A: UV-vis spectra of PDA@PC NPs with different concentrations. B: Mass absorption coefficient of PDA@PC NPs. C: Temperature curves of PDA@PC NPs with varying concentrations under 808 nm laser irradiation at 2.0 W/cm2. D: Temperature curves of PDA@PC NPs (500 μg/mL) under 808 nm laser irradiation at different power densities. E: Thermostability of PDA@PC NPs(500 μg/mL) in water exposed to 808 nm laser (2.5 W/cm2) for 4 on/off cycles. F: Photothermal conversion profiles of PDA@PC NPs. G: In vitro photothermal images of centrifuge tubes filled with various concentrations of PDA@PC NPs.

Fig.3 Cell viability of L929 cells treated with PDA@PC NPs at different concentrations for 24 h (A)and 48 h (B).

Fig.4 Evaluation of antimicrobial ability of the nanoparticles. A: Plate colony growth. B: Staphylococcus aureus colony formation and bacterial survival rate. C: E. coli colony formation and bacterial survival rate. ***P<0.001.

Fig.5 Representative images of wound healing in mice (A), the healing rates (B), and simulated images of the healing processes (C). ***P<0.001, ****P<0.0001.

Fig.6 Histopathological changes in the wound tissues of the mice. A: HE staining results. B: Masson staining results.

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