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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
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

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.
Keywords:
Candida albicansGP340SPIONsfungal sepsismicrobiological identification

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