Stomatology ›› 2023, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (6): 488-493.doi: 10.13591/j.cnki.kqyx.2023.06.002

• Basic Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of farnesol on glucan-related genes in Candida albicans biofilm and the drug resistance of Candida albicans

ZHANG Qinqin,MA Ming,HUA Rong,LYU Ying,SHI Banruo,WU Qiaochu,WEI Xin()   

  1. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
  • Revised:2023-02-06 Online:2023-06-28 Published:2023-07-06

Abstract:

Objective To study the effect of farnesol on the expression of glucan-related genes and the drug resistance in Candida albicans biofilm. Methods Drug-resistant strains of Candida albicans were induced by the multi-step method and were identified by the KONT MIC determination system. The experiment consisted of the control group, farnesol group and drug-resistant group. The cell wall of Candida albicans biofilm in each group was observed by transmission electron microscope(TEM).The expression of glucan-related genes PIR1, PHR2, BGL2 and GSC1 in each group was analyzed by qPCR. Results The drug-resistant strain model of Candida albicans was successfully constructed in the experiment. TEM showed that after treatment with farnesol, the morphology of the cell wall of Candida albicans biofilm was changed. In the 24 h biofilm, the thickness of the cell wall of Candida albicans biofilm in the control group was (220.10±2.25) nm. The cell wall of the farnesol group had a reduction of electron granules, and the thickness which was (145.90±4.05) nm, was thinner than the control group. In contrast, the cell wall of the drug-resistant group had increased electron granules and cell wall thickness,(299.47±3.33)nm, was greater than the control group. The qPCR results showed that compared with the control group, the expression of PIR1 and PHR2 in the farnesol group was up-regulated(P<0.05), and GSC1 was down-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of PHR2 in the drug-resistant group was down-regulated(P<0.05), while GSC1 expression was up-regulated(P<0.01). Conclusion Farnesol may affect the morphology and structure of the cell wall of Candida albicans by regulating glucan-related genes PHR2, PIR1, and GSC1, and the morphology and structure of the cell wall are related to drug resistance of Candida albicans.

Key words: Candida albicans, biofilm, farnesol, glucan-related genes, drug resistance

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