Expression of the Candida albicans genes ALS3, HWP1, BCR1, TEC1, CPH1 and EFG1 in biofilms after photodynamic inactivation.

Author(s)

Fernanda Freire

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São José dos Campos. 2017-12-14.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. São José dos Campos
• Defense date: 2017-11-30
• Advisor: Antonio Olavo Cardoso Jorge

Abstract

Micro-organisms are becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobial agents and Candida albicans resistant strains to antifungal has been isolated, so it is important and necessary to carry out studies that evaluates the effects of new therapeutic methods, such as antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI). The objective of this study was verify the effects of aPDI on C. albicans biofilms, evaluating its effects on genes expression: TEC1 (transcription factor), HWP1 (cell wall protein hyphae), EFG1 (transcriptional regulator related to morphogenesis), BCR1 (regulator of biofilm formation and cell wall), CPH1 (transcriptional regulator involved in morphogenesis) and ALS3 (adhesin) of C. albicans. Were evaluated 30 samples isolated from patients with HIV and 30 samples from patients with denture stomatitis, as the production of biofilm, dry weight and filamentation. Of these, the most virulent strains of each group that presented better biofilm formation capacity and filamentation were selected. Therefore, were used a clinical sample of C. albicans isolated from HIV positive patient, a clinical sample of C. albicans isolated from patient with denture stomatitis and a standard strain ATCC 18804. The quantification of gene expression was related to the production of these genes in clinical samples and in the reference strain using PCR assay in real time. For aPDI, were used the photosensitizer methylene blue at 300 uM and erythrosine at 400 uM, sensitized with low power laser Indium-Gallium-AluminumPhosphorus (visible red, 660 nm) and green LED (532 ± 10 nm), respectively. Were evaluated four groups for aPDI: a) P+L+: sensitization with the photosensitizer and irradiation with light; b) P+L-: only treatment with the photosensitizer; c) P-L+: only irradiation with light and d) P-L-: without sensitization with the dye and absence of light. The results were analyzed by t-test, with a significance level of 5%. After the phenotypic analysis, the samples Ca30 and 39 S were selected for aPDI . As expected, only in the group P+L+ when compared with the group P-L-, all analyzed genes were downregulated after aPDI. The fold-decrease for the genes ALS3, HWP1, BCR1, TEC1, CPH1 and EFG1, were 0.73, 0.39, 0.77, 0.71, 0.67 and 0.60, for laser, respectively, and 0.66, 0.61, .050, 0.43, 0.54 and 0.66, for LED, respectively. It could be concluded that aPDI showed a reduction in the expression of C. albicans genes, suggesting its virulence decrease. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/22897-2 - Antimicrobial action of photodynamic therapy in gene expression in Candida albicans biofilms
• Grantee: Fernanda Freire
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate