Gold nanocluster-complexed dressings for instant closure of bacteria-infected wound

Rapid closure is crucial for effective wound healing. However, current wound dressings often fall short in this aspect. Herein, we present a light-responsive wound dressing (A@MC) composed of a heat-curable methyl cellulose (MC) hydrogel and aminophenylboronic acid (ABA)-modified gold nanoclusters (AGNCs). The A@MC is injectable and can conform, connect, and adhere to wounds of irregular shapes before gelation. Upon near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, the photothermal effect of the AGNCs triggers an instant gelation and contraction of the dressing and simultaneously a sharp shrinkage of the wound. It achieves a shrinkage rate up to 46% within 5 min for bacteria-infected wound in mice. Moreover, the contraction of A@MC can achieve a rapid release (16%, 5 min) of the AGNCs, which can bind to bacteria through ABA-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) interaction, displaying a targeted antibacterial therapy. The A@MC realizes an accelerated healing (complete healing within 14 days) of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( P.a )-infected wounds. Graphical abstract