Smart Nanosilver Strikes Twice: Precision Bacteria Killing Meets Autophagy-Boosted Healing for Infected Wounds

The study introduces a pH-responsive core-shell nanosilver platform (PST/Ag) designed for treating infected chronic wounds by combining precise antibacterial action with microenvironment reprogramming. PST/Ag targets bacterial membranes and releases silver ions (Ag+) in acidic infection sites, providing effective bactericidal effects while reducing resistance risks. It minimizes toxicity by limiting Ag+ release to lysosomal compartments in skin cells, where it activates protective autophagy and enhances wound healing processes like fibroblast migration and angiogenesis. In animal models, PST/Ag outperforms traditional silver nanoparticles by effectively eradicating bacteria, speeding up re-epithelialization, and preventing scar formation, offering a promising approach for complex tissue repair.