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Magnetic Removal of Candida albicans Using Salivary Peptide-Functionalized SPIONs
Bernhard Friedrich1, Rainer Tietze1, Michaela Dümig2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung Professorship, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
International Journal of Nanomedicine
|June 20, 2023
Summary
Magnetic nanoparticles efficiently separate Candida albicans, a yeast causing sepsis, from samples. This rapid method aids in pathogen identification and reduces diagnostic preparation time without harming human cells.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Magnetic separation of microbes offers rapid sample preparation for pathogen identification.
- Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) functionalized with peptides can target specific microorganisms.
- Candida albicans is a significant yeast pathogen associated with sepsis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the suitability of peptide-functionalized SPIONs (SPION-APTES-Pep) for separating and enriching Candida albicans.
- To evaluate the physicochemical and toxicological properties of the SPION-APTES-Pep system.
- To assess the efficiency of SPION-APTES-Pep as a sample preparation method for fungal infection diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- SPIONs were coated with APTES and functionalized with a GP340-derived peptide.
- Physicochemical properties were analyzed, including peptide loading via thermogravimetric analysis.
- Toxicological effects were assessed by monitoring cell cycle and DNA degradation in human blood cells.
- Separation efficiency was tested in water-based media and blood samples.
- Regrowth experiments were performed on separated Candida albicans cells.
Main Results:
- SPION-APTES-Pep achieved over 80% magnetic separation of Candida albicans from water-based media.
- Approximately 55% separation of Candida albicans was achieved from blood samples within 8 minutes.
- The method demonstrated high selectivity for Candida albicans without compromising the cell cycle of human blood cells.
- Separated Candida albicans cells showed no restrictions in regrowth.
Conclusions:
- Peptide-functionalized SPIONs provide an effective and rapid method for magnetic separation of Candida albicans.
- This technique significantly reduces sample preparation time for diagnosing fungal infections.
- The SPION-APTES-Pep system is safe for use with human blood components and preserves cell viability for further analysis.
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