A bacterial infection-microenvironment activated nanoplatform based on spiropyran-conjugated glycoclusters for imaging and eliminating of the biofilm

A broad spectrum of microbial persistent infections is associated with bacterial biofilm which is difficult to be eliminated. In the clinic, diagnosis of biofilm-associated infections is heavily dependent on culturing methods which are difficult to identify pathogenic bacterial infection in vivo. Here, a facile bioreponsive nanoplatform consisting of spiropyran and galactose was developed for selectively imaging and eliminating the biofilm in situ. The nanoplatform could specially bind to bacteria through carbohydrate-protein interaction and rapidly respond to bacterial infection-microenvironment, finally imaging and eliminating biofilm. Importantly, the bioinspired nanoplatform is highly selective towards bacterial cells rather than mammalian cells with low toxicity against A549 cells. Collectively, this multifunctional nanoplatform as an imaging and dispersing biofilm agent provides promising insights for the development of the new treatment of biofilm-associated infections.