Near infrared photo-bacterialflora modulation technology realized controlling periodontitis: modulation of disease-associated dysbiosis in oral microbiota using near infrared photo-antibacterial targeting therapy (NIR-PAT2).

BACKGROUND

Periodontitis is a complex polymicrobial disease driven by synergistic interactions within a dysbiotic oral community. Within this network, Porphyromonas gingivalis acts as a keystone pathogen that orchestrates the pathogenic transformation of the microbiota. Current broad-spectrum antimicrobials often disrupt the entire microbial ecosystem and release immunogenic lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We aimed to develop a targeted approach, Near-Infrared Photo-Antibacterial Targeting Therapy (NIR-PAT2), using an antibody-photosensitizer conjugate (IgY-IR700) to reduce P. gingivalis load within this polymicrobial complex and modulate the community profile.

METHODS

We evaluated the binding and bactericidal mechanism of NIR-PAT2 in vitro compared to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and endotoxin assays. In vivo, a ligature-induced periodontitis mouse model was used to assess therapeutic effects on alveolar bone resorption and microbiome community structure (16 S rRNA sequencing).

RESULTS

In vitro, NIR-PAT2 eliminated P. gingivalis without affecting human cells. SEM analysis revealed a distinct mechanism: unlike aPDT, which caused bacterial disintegration, NIR-PAT2 induced lethal transmembrane perforations while maintaining structural integrity. In parallel, endotoxin assays demonstrated that NIR-PAT2 treatment significantly suppressed LPS release compared to aPDT. In vivo, NIR-PAT2 treatment significantly inhibited alveolar bone resorption. Crucially, microbiome analysis demonstrated that NIR-PAT2 did not merely eliminate the environment but induced a compositional shift toward a health-associated profile. By suppressing Porphyromonas, the treatment facilitated the partial restoration of commensal genera such as Streptococcus, disrupting the dysbiotic network.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that NIR-PAT2 functions as a "Near-Infrared Photo-Bacterialflora Modulation (NIR-PBAM)" technology. By targeting a keystone pathogen within the polymicrobial community, NIR-PBAM offers a strategy to partially restore microbial balance while presenting a potential advantage in limiting LPS release, thus overcoming the ecological disruption caused by conventional broad-spectrum antimicrobials.