ROS Mediated the Photodynamic Antibacterial ofVibrio vulnificusby a DNA-Targeted Molecular Rotor Probe

Abstract

AbstractVibrio vulnificus, a highly pathogenic Gram-negative bacterium, is capable of inducing sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, and skin and soft tissue infections through contact with wounds. Currently, the majority ofV. vulnificusstrains have developed resistance to multiple drugs, highlighting the critical necessity for the development of novel therapeutics capable of effectively targeting and eradicating this bacterium. In recent years, material molecules have emerged as promising antimicrobial agents. This study introduces a novel molecular fluorescent probe, BDTP, which demonstrates a wide-ranging antimicrobial effect against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria while exhibiting minimal toxicity to normal mammalian cells. Of particular significance is BDTP’s ability to rapidly detect V. vulnificus, bind to bacterial DNA, and exhibit fluorescence monitoring behavior. Furthermore, BDTP displays enhanced photodynamic antibacterial activity when exposed to white light irradiation. Under a low dose of white light (15mW cm-2), the killing efficiency ofV. vulnificusirradiated with 4uM for 10 minutes was more than 99.8%. Moreover, it could significantly inhibit and eliminate the biofilm formed byV. vulnificus. It can induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inV. vulnificuscells, leading to bacterial cell damage. More importantly, BDTP significantly promoted the healing of infected wounds in an animal model ofV. vulnificusinfection. Therefore, BDTP shows great promise as a potent antibacterial agent againstV. vulnificusinfection.