Cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet modulates Candida albicans virulence traits

Author(s)

Borges, Aline Chiodi ^{[1, 2]} ; Castaldelli Nishime, Thalita Mayumi ^[3] ; Kostov, Konstantin Georgiev ^[3] ; Gouvea Lima, Gabriela de Morais ^{[1, 2]} ; Lacerda Gontijo, Aline Vidal ^{[1, 2, 4]} ; Martins Marchesotti de Carvalho, Juliana Nobrega ^{[1, 2]} ; Honda, Roberto Yzumi ^[3] ; Koga-Ito, Cristiane Yumi ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Dept Environm Engn, Inst Sci & Technol, Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Oral Biopathol Grad Program, Inst Sci & Technol, Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Dept Chem & Phys, Fac Engn, Guaratingueta, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biosci & Technol Bioact Prod, Inst Biol, Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CLINICAL PLASMA MEDICINE; v. 7-8, p. 9-15, DEC 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

The occurrence of Candida-related infections depends on the interplay between fungal virulence factors and host's immune system. For this reason, interfering with fungal virulence is a promising approach to prevent or treat such diseases. The goal of this study was to analyze the effects of cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet operated with Helium (He-CAPPJ) on C. albicans virulence traits and biofilms. The study also aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of He-CAPPJ to Vero cells. The effective operational parameters of He-CAPPJ against C. albicans SC 5314 were determined. Sub-inhibitory times of exposure were used to evaluate the effect of He-CAPPJ on morphogenesis (yeast-hyphae transition), adherence to epithelial cells, and exoenzymes production. Cytotoxicity to Vero cells was also assessed by MTT assay and genotoxicity was investigated by micronucleus test. A promising effect of He-CAPPJ on morphogenesis was observed, with a reduction of almost 40 times in the filamentation rate compared to the non-exposed group. He-CAPPJ was able to reduce C. albicans adherence and to decrease fungal biofilm viability. No effect on exoenzymes production was observed. In conclusion, He-CAPPJ was able to attenuate fungal adherence and morphogenesis with low cytotoxicity after short treatment times. Periods of exposure effective against biofilms were cytotoxic to Vero cells. He-CAPPJ did not show genotoxic effect. Therefore, He-CAPPJ has potential to be applied as an adjuvant in the treatment of C. albicans superficial infections. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/03470-3 - Aplications of low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma in dentistry
• Grantee: Gabriela de Morais Gouvêa Lima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/07196-6 - Prospection of innovative therapeutic alternatives for infectious diseases with relevance in Dentistry: low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma and nanoencapsulate of bioactive substance
• Grantee: Cristiane Yumi Koga Ito
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/02354-7 - Antifungal activity and genotoxicity of atmospheric pressure nonthermal plasma jet
• Grantee: Aline Chiodi Borges
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/21989-6 - Development of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jets for Material Treatment, Thin Films Deposition and Biomedical Applications
• Grantee: Konstantin Georgiev Kostov
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants