Evaluation of morphological and physiological aspects of Candida spp. after exposure to experimental compounds and antifungal drugs

• Grant number: 24/05230-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Marlise Inêz Klein Furlan
• Grantee: Bianca Hiramatsu Ogata
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06801-1 - Extracellular matrix: from biology to strategies for controlling cariogenic biofilms, AP.JP2

Abstract

The fungi Candida spp. are important disease-causing agents in humans, ranging from mucosal to systemic infections. Many species are commensals of the oral cavity and live in harmony with the host. However, when changes occur in the oral environment or immunocompromised individuals, these fungi can manifest virulence factors and factors associated with virulence. Among such factors is the morphological transition of dimorphic species, changing from yeast-like to filamentous forms capable of penetrating and destroying cells and soft tissue matrix. Furthermore, some species participate in microbial biofilms associated with caries development. Therefore, it is important to understand the physiological processes and associated morphology when agents are used to control their growth and metabolism. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the morphological and physiological aspects of Candida spp exposed to distinct treatments. To achieve this aim, initially, cultures of Candida spp. will be treated with the compounds tt-farnesol (terpenoid), hydroxychalcone'4 (intermediate for the synthesis of flavonoids), and myricetin (flavonoid) and with the antifungal drugs fluconazole, echinocandin and amphotericin B. Treatments will be carried out with isolated compounds and drugs and also combining them. The control groups will be cultures treated with the agent-diluting vehicle and untreated cultures. After exposing the fungal cells for defined periods, growth, metabolism (resazurin), morphology (light microscopy), alteration of the cytoplasmic membrane (microscopy with lipophilic fluorophore), and production of reactive oxygen species will be evaluated. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (±=0.05).