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Open Access Research Article Issue
Multienzyme-mimetic MnO2 aerogels with NIR-enhanced ROS regulation for treating MRSA-infected diabetic wounds
Nano Research 2026, 19(7): 94908653
Published: 28 May 2026
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Diabetes mellitus represents a global health crisis, with an ever-growing population of patients suffering from chronic, non-healing diabetic wounds. These wounds are marked by a hostile microenvironment characterized by hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and bacterial colonization, all of which severely impair tissue regeneration and angiogenesis. Amid these interrelated pathological factors, regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) dynamics has emerged as a key therapeutic strategy. Appropriate spatiotemporal control of ROS is critical: insufficient ROS in the early stages of infection compromises antimicrobial defense, whereas excessive ROS accumulation during the inflammatory phase induces oxidative damage and sustains chronic inflammation. To simultaneously modulate ROS and address the multifactorial diabetic wound microenvironment, herein we present a multifunctional manganese dioxide (MnO2) aerogel synthesized via a freeze-thaw method in a water/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) mixture, forming a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected network with hierarchical porosity and nanoflower-like morphology. The MnO2 aerogel mimics five key enzyme-like activities—oxidase, glucose oxidase (GOx), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)—thereby enabling antibacterial, antioxidant, glucose-regulating, and tissue-regenerative functions. Additionally, near-infrared (NIR) photothermal activation further augments its antimicrobial efficacy by disrupting bacterial biofilms and promoting ROS generation. Taken together, in vitro and in vivo experiments reveal that MnO2 aerogels significantly attenuate inflammation, re-establish glucose and redox homeostasis, and accelerate wound closure by enhancing angiogenesis and tissue regeneration. This work highlights metallic oxide aerogel as a promising platform for advanced diabetic wound therapy, providing an integrated strategy to address the complex challenges of wound management.

Research Article Issue
β-Cyclodextrin-modified AuBi metallic aerogels enable efficient peroxidase mimicking for colorimetric sensing of urease-positive pathogenic bacteria
Nano Research 2023, 16(7): 9663-9671
Published: 13 April 2023
Abstract PDF (16 MB) Collect
Downloads:259

The detection of pathogenic bacteria with improved accessibility, reduced analysis time, and increased sensitivity is of great importance for diagnosing the infected disease. Nanozymes have attracted rising attention in the bioassay field. Designing a model nanozyme needs the combined merit of sensible nanostructures and a large specific surface area to guarantee exceptional enzyme-mimic activity. Herein, a β-cyclodextrin modified AuBi aerogel is prepared by a one-pot reduction strategy. The introduction of β-cyclodextrin (featured with a hydrophobic cavity and hydrophilic surface) enhances the catalytic activity of AuBi aerogels by engendering host–guest complex and improving dispersity/stability. Based on the specific urea hydrolysis, which could produce NH3 to raise pH by urease, the pH up-regulation would inhibit the peroxidase-mimicking performances of β-cyclodextrin/AuBi aerogels. Therefore, the sensitive colorimetric detection platform for urease activity could be constructed. Moreover, the sensing platform can detect straightforwardly urease-positive Proteus mirabilis in urine circumstances with a wide detection range and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 4 colony-forming unit (CFU)·mL−1. The reproducibility, stability, and specificity of this approach are verified to be satisfactory. Also, as an inhibitor of urease activity, the fluoride ion could be detected by the constructed sensing platform sensitively and specifically. Overall, this work provides a blueprint for designing an ideal nanozyme and paves a new roadway for detecting pathogenic bacteria.

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