NO-driven self-propelled nanomotors with deep biofilm penetration for synergistic therapy of peri-implantitis - Research Article Abstract

Sep 29, 2026

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Phototherapy as an adjuvant for peri-implantitis faces barriers to clinical translation, including inadequate photosensitizer targeting, insufficient biofilm penetration, and limited immunomodulatory and osteogenic activity. This work constructs a core–shell nanomotor (IHPS) with a hollow mesoporous polydopamine core encapsulating indocyanine green (ICG) and an S-nitrosothiol-modified ε-polylysine coating. Under near-infrared light, IHPS actively targets plaque biofilms, triggers burst nitric oxide release, improves deep penetration, forms peroxynitrite for synergistic antibacterial effects, sustains NO release, promotes M2 macrophage polarization, suppresses inflammation, and enhances osteogenic differentiation via sGC-cGMP-PKG signaling, enabling antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and bone regeneration outcomes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Phototherapy challenges in peri-implantitis

Materials Today Bio 36 (2026) 102658 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Materials Today Bio journal [homepage:](homepage: www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-today-bio)[ www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-today-bio](homepage: www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-today-bio) | NO-driven self-propelled nanomotors with deep biofilm penetration for synergistic therapy of peri-implantitis
Xin Zhana,b,1, Ying Lia,b,1, Chenglin Yang c,1, Wenping Zhang a,b, Zeyu Hand, Yimeng Lia,b, Qiutong Menga,b, Yuanyong Feng b,e,*, Youcheng Yu f, Baodong Zhao a,b,**, Fan Lia,b,***
a Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, PR China b School of Stomatology, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, PR China
c Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, PR China
d Department of Oral Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory ofStomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, PR China e Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, PR China
f Department of Stomatology, Zhongshan Hospital ofFudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China | | | | --- | --- | --- | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | Keywords:
Peri-implantitis Nitric oxide Nanomotors Biofilm penetration
Synergistic therapy | | Phototherapy as an adjuvant treatment for peri-implantitis (PI) still faces multiple challenges in clinical translation, including weak targeting capability of photosensitizers, poor biofilm penetration, and lack of immunomodulatory and osteogenic functions. To address these limitations, a core–shell nanomotor (IHPS) was constructed, whereby a hollow mesoporous polydopamine core encapsulating indocyanine green (ICG) was coated with S-nitrosothiol-modified ε-polylysine. Under near-infrared light excitation, the IHPS utilizes the positive surface charge provided by ε-polylysine to actively target plaque biofilms, and employs the photothermal effect of ICG to trigger burst release of nitric oxide (NO), thereby enhancing its penetration capacity into the deep regions of the biofilm through a self-propelled mechanism. The released NO can react with reactive oxygen species generated by ICG-mediated photodynamic therapy to form peroxynitrite, further synergistically improving antibacterial and biofilm eradication efficacy. Moreover, under physiological conditions, the IHPS enables sustained and slow release of NO, effectively promoting macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype to suppress inflammation, and enhancing osteogenic differentiation via activation of the sGC-cGMPPKG signaling pathway. Ultimately, this approach achieves synergistic antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and bone regeneration effects at the infection site. This study provides a novel multifunctional therapeutic strategy with promising clinical translation potential for the treatment of PI. | 1. Introduction Phototherapy, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), has become an important adjuvant to traditional mechanical debridement and antibiotic therapy for peri-implantitis (PI) due to its minimal invasiveness, rapid efficacy, and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity [1–3]. However, its clinical application faces multiple challenges. Firstly, most available photosensitizers (PSs) lack specific targeting capability towards bacterial biofilms, leading to nonspecific phototoxicity towards surrounding healthy tissues while eliminating pathogenic bacteria [4]. Secondly, the complex morphology of the peri-implant pocket, coupled with the physicochemical barrier formed by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)

FAQs

What challenges limit phototherapy for peri-implantitis in clinical translation?

Key challenges include weak photosensitizer targeting to bacterial biofilms, poor penetration through mature biofilm EPS that limits diffusion of therapeutic effects, and limited ability to modulate immune imbalance or promote bone regeneration.

How does the IHPS nanomotor improve targeting and penetration into deep biofilms?

IHPS uses the positive surface charge from ε-polylysine for active biofilm targeting and employs a self-propelled mechanism to enhance penetration into deep biofilm regions.

How does the system achieve synergistic antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects?

Upon near-infrared excitation, ICG-mediated photothermal effects trigger burst NO release; NO reacts with reactive oxygen species to form peroxynitrite, strengthening antibacterial/biofilm eradication. Sustained NO release also promotes macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype to suppress inflammation.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher