Influence of salivary and serum proteins on biofilm development of Candida albicans

• Grant number: 09/15035-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: January 01, 2010 - December 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Altair Antoninha Del Bel Cury
• Grantee: Altair Antoninha Del Bel Cury
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Development of Candida spp biofilm is thought to be partially mediated by interactions between protein receptors and the fungus. Since during the clinical manifestation of oral candidiasis the denture base surfaces are coated with a saliva-seric derived pellicle, specific interactions between salivary and serum constituents and C. albicans may also lead to cell adhesion, bioactivity and expression of virulence factors. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to verify the influence of the mainly important saliva and serum proteins to which C. albicans interacts. In order to identify the proteins of the acquired pellicle on poly-methyl methacrylate specimen formed in the presence of plasma and saliva, mass spectrometry analysis will be performed. From the characterization of adsorbed protein components, Candida albicans biofilms will be formed in the presence of isolated proteins as salivary mucin, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), lactoferrin, histatins, fibrinogen and iC3b factor. Biofilm development regarding its metabolic activity of the fungal cell will be evaluated by means of XTT reduction assay. Moreover, structural organization of the formed biofilm will be analyzed by a novel computer program, COMSTAT and finally, the expression of virulence factors will be determined by means of enzymes production assays. Results will be analyzed by statistical tests to be defined after exploratory tests. (AU)