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Photodynamic Therapy Modulates pri-miRNA Expression in C. albicans-Infected HEK-293 Cells: An In Vitro Study
Cinzia Casu1, Andrea Butera2, Alessandra Scano1
1Oral Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Surgical Science, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy.
Abstract:
Oral infections caused by Candida spp. represent a major health concern due to the increasing resistance of these fungi to conventional antifungal agents. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment based on the use of light at a specific wavelength that activates a photosensitizer (PS) in the presence of oxygen. The activated PS selectively binds to infected cells and induces apoptosis through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Previous biomolecular studies on Candida albicans have demonstrated that its infection triggers characteristic molecular signals, such as miRNA-146a and miRNA-155, which serve as inflammatory markers. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the impact of PDT on the expression of their primary transcripts (pri-miRNAs) in a cell culture model of C. albicans infection. Human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells were infected with a multidrug-resistant strain of C. albicans (CA97) and subsequently exposed to curcumin-based PDT activated by blue light (470 nm). The expression of pri-miRNAs 146a and 155 was assessed before and after PDT treatment for each experimental group. The expression levels of pri-miRNAs increased approximately 2- to 3.5-fold following C. albicans infection but returned to baseline values after PDT treatment. The evaluation of pri-miRNAs 146a/155 may serve as a valuable research tool for monitoring early inflammatory responses induced by Candida infection, as well as a sensitive biomarker for assessing the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in an in vitro cell culture model.
Insights
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) effectively reduced inflammatory markers, specifically pri-miRNA-146a and pri-miRNA-155, in a cell culture model of Candida albicans infection. This suggests PDT
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Microbiology
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Oral Candida infections are a growing concern due to antifungal resistance.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light-activated photosensitizers to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce apoptosis.
- Candida albicans infection upregulates specific microRNAs (miRNAs), such as miRNA-146a and miRNA-155, acting as inflammatory markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of curcumin-based PDT on the expression of primary transcripts (pri-miRNAs) of miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 in an in vitro model of Candida albicans infection.
- To assess the potential of pri-miRNA-146a/155 as biomarkers for Candida infection and PDT efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells were infected with a multidrug-resistant Candida albicans strain (CA97).
- Infected cells were treated with curcumin-based PDT activated by blue light (470 nm).
- Expression levels of pri-miRNA-146a and pri-miRNA-155 were measured before and after PDT treatment.
Main Results:
- Candida albicans infection significantly increased pri-miRNA-146a and pri-miRNA-155 expression (2- to 3.5-fold).
- PDT treatment successfully reduced the elevated pri-miRNA levels back to baseline values.
- The observed changes in pri-miRNA expression correlated with PDT treatment effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- PDT demonstrates efficacy in modulating key inflammatory markers during Candida albicans infection in vitro.
- Pri-miRNA-146a and pri-miRNA-155 can serve as valuable indicators of early inflammatory responses to Candida.
- Pri-miRNA evaluation shows promise as a biomarker for assessing PDT effectiveness in managing oral fungal infections.
