title: Virulence modulation of Candida albicans biofilms by metal ions commonly released from orthodontic devices.
abstract: The installation of metal devices leads to an increase in the salivary concentration of metal ions and in the growth of salivary Candida spp. However, the relationship between released metal ions and Candida virulence has not been previously examined. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether metal ions affect fungal virulence. We prepared culture media containing Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+), Co(2+) or a mixture of these metal ions at concentrations similar to those released in saliva of orthodontic patients. Biofilms of Candida albicans SC5314 were grown for 72 h and their biomasses were determined. The supernatants were analyzed for secretory aspartyl protease (SAP) and hemolysin activities. To verify changes in virulence following treatment with metals, proteolytic and hemolytic activities were converted into specific activities. The results revealed that all ions, except Co(2+), caused increases in biofilm biomass. In addition, Ni(2+) caused an increase in SAP activity and Fe(3+) reduced hemolytic activity. However, the SAP and hemolysin activities in the presence of the mixture of ions did not differ from those of control. These results indicate that metal ions released during the degradation of orthodontic appliances can modulate virulence factors in C. albicans biofilms.
authors.affiliation: The Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, Department of Orthodontics, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maiara Medeiros
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ronsani
authors.forename: Alinne Ulbrich
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Mores Rymovicz
authors.forename: Thiago Martins
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Meira
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Trindade Grégio
authors.forename: Odilon
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Guariza Filho
authors.forename: Orlando Motohiro
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Edvaldo Antonio
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ribeiro Rosa
mesh_terms: D057055:Aspartic Acid Proteases / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D018533:Biomass; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D002412:Cations / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000382:microbiology*; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D002412:Cations; D003470:Culture Media; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D008670:Metals; D057055:Aspartic Acid Proteases