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Updated: Sep 15, 2025
Rose Bengal-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy to Inhibit Candida albicans
Published on: March 24, 2022
Eradicating fungal biofilm-based infections by ultrasound-assisted semiconductor sensitized upconversion photodynamic
Zeyu Liu1, Minying Li1, Qiulin Xie1
1Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Infectious Diseases, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China.
Abstract:
Fungal biofilms, as self-produced extracellular polymeric substances that resist antifungal agents and immune defense, represent a major cause of treatment failure and recurrent infections. Therefore, it is of great importance to eradicate fungal biofilms to achieve efficient therapy. This study develops a synergistic reactive oxygen species (ROS)-enhanced strategy to eradicate Candida albicans biofilms by designing ultrasound-light dual-responsive nanohybrids (UCNP@CR). The system integrates thulium-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with carbon nitride-coated surfaces (g-C3N4) and polypyridine ruthenium complex (Ru) photosensitizers. In treatment, the dense fungal biofilm can be effectively loosened under ultrasound stimulation while ultrasound simultaneously triggers ROS production of UCNP@CR, collectively promoting irreversible destruction of biofilm and inward penetration of photosensitizer. Moreover, UCNP@CR exhibits strong fungal adhesion, while its g-C3N4-mediated enhanced metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) process of Ru under near-infrared light irradiation amplifies ROS generation, which leads to efficient eradication of fungal biofilms. As in vivo experimental evidence, UCNP@CR exhibits excellent antifungal efficacy in treating fungal biofilm-infected wounds in immunosuppressed male mice under ultrasound-light stimulation. These findings establish the ultrasound-assisted, ROS-enhanced synergistic strategy as a promising approach against fungal biofilm infections and provide diverse perspective for managing other biofilm-related infectious diseases.
Insights
This study introduces a novel dual-responsive nanohybrid system that eradicates fungal biofilms by enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This synergistic approach shows promise for treating challenging fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fungal biofilms resist antifungal treatments and immune responses, causing persistent infections.
- Developing effective strategies to eradicate fungal biofilms is crucial for successful therapy.
- Candida albicans biofilms are a significant cause of treatment failure and recurrent infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a synergistic reactive oxygen species (ROS)-enhanced strategy for eradicating Candida albicans biofilms.
- To design ultrasound-light dual-responsive nanohybrids (UCNP@CR) for enhanced biofilm destruction.
- To investigate the efficacy of UCNP@CR in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Integration of thulium-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), g-C3N4, and a ruthenium complex (Ru) into UCNP@CR nanohybrids.
- Utilizing ultrasound to loosen biofilms and trigger initial ROS production.
- Employing near-infrared light irradiation to enhance Ru's MLCT process and amplify ROS generation for biofilm eradication.
- Evaluating UCNP@CR efficacy in vitro and in vivo models of fungal biofilm infections.
Main Results:
- UCNP@CR effectively loosens fungal biofilms under ultrasound stimulation, promoting photosensitizer penetration.
- Ultrasound and near-infrared light irradiation synergistically amplify ROS generation, leading to efficient biofilm eradication.
- UCNP@CR demonstrated strong fungal adhesion and excellent antifungal efficacy in treating infected wounds in mice.
- The nanohybrid system achieved irreversible destruction of biofilms through ROS-enhanced mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- The developed ultrasound-assisted, ROS-enhanced synergistic strategy is a promising approach against fungal biofilm infections.
- UCNP@CR nanohybrids offer a novel platform for managing Candida albicans biofilms.
- This strategy provides new perspectives for addressing other biofilm-related infectious diseases.
