Smart Nanosilver Strikes Twice: Precision Bacteria Killing Meets Autophagy-Boosted Healing for Infected Wounds
June 2025
in “
Advanced Functional Materials
”
Studysummary This study reports that a pH-responsive nanosilver platform improved wound healing in mouse and rabbit models by targeting bacteria and supporting tissue repair more effectively than traditional silver nanoparticles. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study introduces a novel pH-responsive core-shell nanosilver platform (PST/Ag) designed for the effective management of infected chronic wounds. This platform targets bacterial cells by adhering to their membranes and releasing silver ions (Ag+) in acidic environments, achieving strong antibacterial effects while reducing the risk of resistance. The PST/Ag system minimizes toxicity to mammalian cells by limiting Ag+ release to lysosomal compartments, where it is converted into secondary nanoparticles, maintaining a safe Ag+ level. This controlled release induces a Hormesis effect, activating protective autophagy and enhancing wound healing processes such as fibroblast migration, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. In animal models, PST/Ag demonstrated superior performance over traditional silver nanoparticles by effectively eradicating bacteria, promoting re-epithelialization, and preventing scar formation, thus offering a promising approach for complex tissue repair.
