Abstract

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) has been known as a highly prevalent and disabling disease, which is one of the main causes of low back pain and disability. Unfortunately, there is no effective cure to treat this formidable disease, and surgical interventions are typically applied. Herein, we report that the local administration of nitric oxide (NO)-releasing micellar nanoparticles can efficiently treat IVDD associated with Modic changes in a rat model established by infection with Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). By covalent incorporation of palladium(II) meso-tetraphenyltetrabenzoporphyrin photocatalyst and coumarin-based NO donors into the core of micellar nanoparticles, we demonstrate that the activation of the UV-absorbing coumarin-based NO donors can be achieved under red light irradiation via photoredox catalysis, although it remains a great challenge to implement photoredox catalysis reactions in biological conditions due to the complex microenvironments. Notably, the local delivery of NO can not only efficiently eradicate C. acnes pathogens but also inhibit the inflammatory response and osteoclast differentiation in the intervertebral disc tissues, exerting antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiosteoclastogenesis effects. This work provides a feasible means to efficiently treat IVDD by the local administration of NO signaling molecules without resorting to a surgical approach.