The association of DNase I with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy affects Candida albicans gene expression and promotes immunomodulatory effects in mice with candidiasis

Author(s)

Jordao, Claudia Carolina ; Klein, Marlise Inez ; Barbugli, Paula Aboud ; Ferrisse, Tulio Morandin ; de Moraes, Juliana Cerini Grassi ; Pavarina, Ana Claudia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; v. 24, n. 5, p. 12-pg., 2025-05-05.

Abstract

This study evaluated Candida albicans gene expression and local inflammatory response from mice with oral candidiasis that were treated with DNase I plus antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). DNase I was applied, followed by aPDT mediated by Photodithazine (R) and LED light, singly or combined for five consecutive days. A group was only inoculated with fluconazole-susceptible (CaS) or-resistant (CaR) C. albicans strains. Immediately and 7 days after treatments, C. albicans colonies recovered from mice tongues were used for gene expression evaluation. Tongues from mice killed 24 h and 7 days after treatments were used to evaluate the host's inflammatory cytokines using cytometric bead array. A reduction occurred in the gene expression related to adhesion to the host substrate, the biofilm extracellular matrix, and oxidative stress of CaS and CaR recovered from mice treated with DNAse I plus aPDT. Increased production of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and MCP-1 occurred in mice infected with CaS but not as much for those infected with CaR in the groups treated with DNase I plus aPDT and aPDT. DNase I plus aPDT decreased the expression of the fungal genes evaluated and increased local inflammatory response, which helped to fight the infection. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/09332-0 - Evaluation of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy associated with DNAse effect in the treatment of oral candidiasis in mice infected with Candida albicans
• Grantee: Ana Cláudia Pavarina
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/01191-0 - Tolerance induction and Candida albicans's biofilm characterization after antimicrobial photodymamic therapy application
• Grantee: Túlio Morandin Ferrisse
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/27634-6 - Evaluation effect of DNAse-associated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in the treatment of Oral Candidosis in mice infected with Candida albicans
• Grantee: Cláudia Carolina Jordão
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC