Media

A research team led by Professor Kelvin Yeung Wai-kwok from the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) has invented a non-invasive and non-antibiotics technology to effectively reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in bony tissue. The novel antibacterial nano-sheets can release a substantial amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) subject to ultrasound stimulation. With the engulfment of neutrophil membrane (NM), the nano-sheets are able to actively capture the MRSA bacteria deeply seated in bony tissue and effectively eliminate 99.72% ± 0.03%. The outcome has been published in Advanced Materials [link to publication].

Background
Bone infection, namely osteomyelitis, is an infection happened in bone or bone marrow caused by bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms. The common causative pathogenic organism is MRSA. Severe infections can put patients at the risk of amputation or even induce life-threatening sepsis. In clinical practice, the treatment of bone tissue infection typically involves antibiotics and surgical debridement to remove the infected bone or tissue. However, excessive use of antibiotics not only compromises the host’s innate immune function, but may also inevitably induce the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. Recently, phototherapy, whatever it is photodynamic or photothermal therapy, has been applied as an antibiotic-free strategy to tackle bacterial infections. However, conventional phototherapy is unable to address the deep tissue infection such as bone due to its limited penetration power. Therefore, an alternative antibiotic-free strategy harnessing the penetration power of ultrasound to human tissues is considered.

Research method and findings
The HKUMed research team has invented a new two-dimensional (2D) sonosensitiser, namely Ti3C2-SD(Ti3+) nano-sheets (nano sheets). Compare with the conventional sonosensitiser arranged in zero-dimension, in which the efficiency of ROS generation is limited. The innovative 2D sonosensitiser containing an abundance of planar catalytic sites can effectively generate a substantial amount of ROS when it is triggered by ultrasound signal. After decorated with neutrophil membrane (NM), the NM-Ti3C2-SD(Ti3+) nano-sheets (NM-nano-sheets) are able to actively track down the MRSA bacteria in bony tissue subject to ultrasound stimulation. In animal model, the novel nano-sheets have eliminated the MRSA bacteria in bone more than 99.72% in, whereas the antibiotics therapy (Vanco) is ineffective. Furthermore, the NM-nano-sheets can also alleviate tissue inflammation and assist bone repair once bony tissue infection has been controlled. In addition, the NM-coated nano-sheets do not present any acute bio-safety issues.

Research significance
Professor Kelvin Yeung Wai-kwok, remarked, ‘Our design has achieved a qualitative leap in which the ROS catalytic site in sonosensitiser has transformed from zero-dimensional to two-dimensional. This invention can remarkably increase the production of bactericide (ROS). We may also consider applying this invention to the post-operation bacterial infection commonly seen in bone cancer patients or the patients with cystitis and peritonitis in the future.’

About the research team
This research study was led by Professor Kelvin Yeung Wai-kwok, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed. Dr Mao Congyang, postdoctoral fellow, is the first author. The research interests of Professor Yeung’s team include spinal deformities, orthopaedic biomaterials, musculoskeletal tissue engineering, 3D bio-printing and anti-bacterial nano-materials.

Acknowledgments
This work was jointly supported by National Key R&D Programmes of China (R&D#2018YFA0703100), General Research Fund of Hong Kong Research Grant Council (Nos. 17214516 and 17207719), Hong Kong Health and Medical Research Fund (Nos.19180712, 20190422 and 21200592), Innovation and Technology Fund Partnership Research Programme (#PRP/030/30FX), The National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (No. 51925104), Shenzhen Science and Technology Funding (Nos. JCYJ20210324120012034 and JCYJ20210324120009026), and Shenzhen’s Sanming Project of Medicine - ’Team of Excellence in Spinal Deformities and Spinal Degeneration’ Diseases (SZSM201612055).

Media enquiries
Please contact LKS Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong by email (medmedia@hku.hk).