Bimetallic oxide Cu-FeO nanoclusters with multiple enzymatic activities for wound infection treatment and wound healing.

Infections and oxidative stress complicate wound healing. In recent years, nanomaterials with natural enzymatic activities have enabled the development of new antibacterial pathways. In this study, Cu-FeO nanoclusters with multienzyme properties were synthesised. Interestingly, they exhibited activity similar to that of horseradish peroxidase (POD) in acidic environments but their functions resembled superoxide dismutase and catalase in neutral or weakly alkaline environments. In vitro studies have demonstrated the good free-radical scavenging activity of Cu-FeO nanoclusters in a neutral environment. Under acidic conditions, Cu-FeO nanoclusters combined with HO demonstrated good antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The combination of Cu-FeO and HO was found to be effective in preventing MRSA infections and promoting wound healing in animal models. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology revealed that chemodynamic therapy (CDT) using nanoparticles can interfere with metabolic processes such as galactose metabolism in MRSA bacteria, destroy the transport system on the surface of MRSA, and affect quorum sensing to hinder the formation of biofilms, thus achieving effective antibacterial efficacy. The use of Cu-FeO nanoclusters as a novel class of multi-catalytically active nanozymes in the anti-infection of disease-causing pathogens and wound healing has significant potential. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cu-FeO nanoclusters with multienzyme properties were successfully prepared by a solvothermal method. Cu-FeO nanoclusters exhibited horseradish peroxidase (POD)-like activity in acidic environments and also showed synergistic effects similar to superoxide dismutase peroxidase in neutral or weakly basic environments. More importantly, these Cu-FeO nanoclusters showed high biosafety with no apparent in vivo toxicity. Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) using Cu-FeO nanoclusters was revealed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology to interfere with the metabolic processes of MRSA bacteria, such as galactose metabolism, disrupt the MRSA surface transport system, and impede biofilm formation, resulting in effective antibacterial efficacy. The use of Cu-FeO nanoclusters for anti-infection and wound healing of pathogenic pathogens has significant potential as a novel class of multi-catalytic active nanoclusters.