Light-induced antifungal activity of nanoparticles with an encapsulated porphyrin photosensitizer

• Published in: Microbiological research 2023-04, Vol.269, p.127303, Article 127303
• Main Authors: Kodedová, Marie, Liška, Vojtěch, Mosinger, Jiří, Sychrová, Hana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use; Candida; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Photochemotherapy; Photodynamic therapy; Photosensitizing Agents - chemistry; Photosensitizing Agents - pharmacology; Photosensitizing Agents - therapeutic use; Porphyrin; Porphyrins - chemistry; Porphyrins - pharmacology; Potassium Iodide - chemistry; Potassium Iodide - pharmacology; Singlet oxygen; Yeast
• ISSN: 0944-5013; 1618-0623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127303

The strong antifungal effect of sulfonated polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs) with an encapsulated tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) photosensitizer is reported here. TPP is activated by visible light, resulting in the generation of singlet oxygen. Its antifungal action is potentiated in the presence of potassium iodide, yielding I2/I3⁻, another antifungal species. The NPs exhibit no dark toxicity, but a broad spectrum of antifungal photodynamic effects. The efficiency of this rapid killing (on the order of minutes) depends on the concentration of TPP NPs, potassium iodide, yeast species and temperature. A strong antifungal activity of TPP NPs is demonstrated on eleven pathogenic and opportunistic pathogenic yeast species (six Candida species and other yeast species, including melanized Hortaea werneckii). The composition and architecture of yeast cell envelope structures clearly influence the efficacy of photodynamic therapy. Candida krusei is the most sensitive to photodynamic therapy. Despite expectations, melanin does not provide Hortaea cells with marked resistance compared to white yeast species. The kinetics of the interaction of NPs with yeast cells is also described. This study may inspire and promote the fabrication of a new type of antiseptic for various skin injuries in clinical medicine. [Display omitted] •Sulfonated polystyrene nanoparticles with an encapsulated tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP).•TPP photosensitizer is activated by blue light and generates singlet oxygen.•Antifungal action of TPP is potentiated by the presence of potassium iodide.•The nanoparticles exhibit no dark toxicity.•The nanoparticles exhibit a broad spectrum of antifungal photodynamic effects.