Ferumoxytol nanozymes effectively target chronic biofilm infections in apical periodontitis

Alaa Babeer; Yuan Liu; Zhi Ren; Zhenting Xiang; Min Jun Oh; Nil Kanatha Pandey; Aurea Simon-Soro; Ranran Huang; Bekir Karabucak; David P. Cormode; Chider Chen; Hyun Koo

doi:10.1172/JCI183576

Ferumoxytol nanozymes effectively target chronic biofilm infections in apical periodontitis

Alaa Babeer,¹ Yuan Liu,² Zhi Ren,² Zhenting Xiang,² Min Jun Oh,² Nil Kanatha Pandey,² Aurea Simon-Soro,² Ranran Huang,³ Bekir Karabucak,¹ David P. Cormode,⁴ Chider Chen,⁵ and Hyun Koo²

Published November 26, 2024 - More info

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Abstract

Bacterial biofilms are pervasive and recalcitrant to current antimicrobials, causing numerous infections. Iron oxide-nanozymes, including an FDA-approved formulation (ferumoxytol, FMX), show potential against biofilm infections via catalytic activation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). However, clinical evidence on its efficacy and therapeutic mechanisms is lacking. Here, we investigate whether FMX-nanozymes can treat chronic biofilm infections and compare their bioactivity to gold-standard sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), a potent but caustic disinfectant. Clinical performance was assessed in patients with apical periodontitis, an intractable endodontic infection affecting half of the global adult population. Data show robust antibiofilm activity by a single application of FMX with H₂O₂ achieving results comparable to NaOCl without adverse effects. FMX binds efficiently to bacterial pathogens Enterococcus faecalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum and remains catalytically active without being affected by dental tissues. This allows for effective eradication of endodontic biofilms via on-site free-radical generation without inducing cytotoxicity. Unexpectedly, FMX promotes growth of stem cells of apical papilla (SCAP), with transcriptomic analyses revealing upregulation of proliferation-associated pathways and downregulation of cell-cycle suppressor genes. Notably, FMX activates SCAP pluripotency and WNT/NOTCH signaling that induces its osteogenic capacity. Together, we show FMX nanozymes are clinically effective against severe chronic biofilm infection with pathogen targeting and unique stem cell-stimulatory properties, offering a regenerative approach to antimicrobial therapy.

Ferumoxytol nanozymes effectively target chronic biofilm infections in apical periodontitis

Alaa Babeer,¹ Yuan Liu,² Zhi Ren,² Zhenting Xiang,² Min Jun Oh,² Nil Kanatha Pandey,² Aurea Simon-Soro,² Ranran Huang,³ Bekir Karabucak,¹ David P. Cormode,⁴ Chider Chen,⁵ and Hyun Koo²

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Ferumoxytol nanozymes effectively target chronic biofilm infections in apical periodontitis

Alaa Babeer,1 Yuan Liu,2 Zhi Ren,2 Zhenting Xiang,2 Min Jun Oh,2 Nil Kanatha Pandey,2 Aurea Simon-Soro,2 Ranran Huang,3 Bekir Karabucak,1 David P. Cormode,4 Chider Chen,5 and Hyun Koo2

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Alaa Babeer,¹ Yuan Liu,² Zhi Ren,² Zhenting Xiang,² Min Jun Oh,² Nil Kanatha Pandey,² Aurea Simon-Soro,² Ranran Huang,³ Bekir Karabucak,¹ David P. Cormode,⁴ Chider Chen,⁵ and Hyun Koo²