Influence of photodynamic therapy combined with antimicrobial peptides on Candida albicans biofilm and 3D cell culture

• Grant number: 20/16227-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2021
• End date: January 06, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Ana Cláudia Pavarina
• Grantee: Luana Mendonça Dias Santana
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/12059-9 - Antimicrobial activity of salivary peptides against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans dual-species biofilm formed on acrylic resin, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Antifungal resistance to conventional drugs is currently a challenge to control fungal infections. In this context, Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) has been investigated to control Candida albicans biofilms in order to inactivate microbial cells and weaken the Extracellular Matrix (ECM). Photodithazine (PDZ) is a Photosensitizer (PS), a second-generation e6 chlorin used in photodynamic inactivation with promising results. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) also stand out in controlling the spread of infection, mainly for being of local application and act on multiple cellular targets, similar to aPDT. In order to develop a protocol to enhance the action of aPDT, the objective of this study will be to investigate the effect of PDZ-mediated aPDT combined with AMP(s) on susceptible (ATCC 90028; CaS) and resistant to fuconazole (ATCC 96901; CaR) C. albicans biofilm and human cells (Nok-si and FGH). The specific objectives will be: 1- analysis of the antimicrobial efficacy and mechanism of action of AMPs on planktonic cultures and CaS and CaR biofilms and their biocompatibility on human cells (NOK-si and FGH); 2- to evaluate the effect of aPDT (mediated by PDZ associated with LED light) with and without a combination of AMP(s) on CaS and CaR biofilms and their ECM; 3- analysis of gene expression of C. albicans cells surviving aPDT treatments (mediated by PDZ associated with LED light) combined with AMP(s); 4- to evaluate the effect of aPDT (mediated by PDZ associated with LED light) combined with AMP(s) on human cells (NOK-si and FGH) in a 3D co-culture model infected with C. albicans (CaS and CaR). All experiments will be performed using four replicates on three different occasions (n=12). The most appropriate statistical test will be applied respecting the assumptions established in the experimental design, considering a significance level of 5%. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FERRISSE, TULIO MORANDIN; DIAS, LUANA MENDONCA; DE OLIVEIRA, ANALU BARROS; JORDAO, CLAUDIA CAROLINA; DE OLIVEIRA MIMA, EWERTON GARCIA; PAVARINA, ANA CLAUDIA. Efficacy of curcumin-mediated antibacterial photodynamic therapy for oral antisepsis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, v. 39, p. 9-pg., 2022-05-30. (20/07110-0, 21/01191-0, 13/07276-1, 20/16227-8)

DOS SANTOS, DANILO M.; DIAS, LUANA M.; SURUR, AMANDA K.; DE MORAES, DANIEL A.; PAVARINA, ANA C.; FONTANA, CARLA R.; CORREA, DANIEL S.. Electrospun Composite Bead-on-String Nanofibers Containing CaO2 Nanoparticles and MnO2 Nanosheets as Oxygen-Release Systems for Biomedical Applications. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS, v. 5, n. 10, p. 12-pg., 2022-09-22. (17/20973-4, 18/22214-6, 20/16227-8)

DIAS, LUANA MENDONCA; CILLI, EDUARDO MAFFUD; MEDEIROS, KARINE SOUSA; BRASIL, MARIA CAROLINA OLIVEIRA DE ARRUDA; MARIN, LINA MARIA; SIQUEIRA, WALTER L.; PAVARINA, ANA CLAUDIA. Antibiofilm Activity and Biocompatibility of Temporin-SHa: A Promising Antimicrobial Peptide for Control of Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans. MICROORGANISMS, v. 12, n. 1, p. 21-pg., 2024-01-01. (21/06476-3, 22/12059-9, 13/07276-1, 13/07600-3, 20/16227-8)

DIAS, LUANA MENDONCA; FERRISSE, TULIO MORANDIN; MEDEIROS, KARINE SOUSA; CILLI, EDUARDO MAFFUD; PAVARINA, ANA CLAUDIA. Use of Photodynamic Therapy Associated with Antimicrobial Peptides for Bacterial Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, v. 23, n. 6, p. 14-pg., 2022-03-01. (21/06476-3, 21/01191-0, 20/16227-8, 13/07276-1)

FERRISSE, TULIO MORANDIN; DIAS, LUANA MENDONCA; DE OLIVEIRA, ANALU BARROS; JORDAO, CLAUDIA CAROLINA; DE OLIVEIRA MIMA, EWERTON GARCIA; PAVARINA, ANA CLAUDIA. Efficacy of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Mediated by Photosensitizers Conjugated with Inorganic Nanoparticles: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PHARMACEUTICS, v. 14, n. 10, p. 18-pg., 2022-10-01. (19/27634-6, 20/07110-0, 20/16227-8, 21/01191-0, 13/07276-1)