ZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated photodynamic inactivation and reduction of Candida albicans biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo.
4 affiliations
- 1Clinical Research Center for Oral Tissue Deficiency Diseases of Fujian Province and Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterial, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- 2Institute of Stomatology and Laboratory of Oral Tissue Engineering, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China.
- 3Department of Stomatology, Cangshan Hospital, the 900Th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou, China.
- 4College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China.
Abstract
Introduction
Candida-associated stomatitis is a common oral mucosal condition, particularly among denture wearers, and is closely associated with persistent Candida albicans biofilms on denture surfaces. ZnPc(Lys)₅ is an amphiphilic phthalocyanine-peptide nanomaterial that has previously been shown to form nanoscale supramolecular assemblies in aqueous environments. This study evaluated the efficacy of ZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in reducing denture-associated Candida biofilms and alleviating associated mucosal inflammation.Methods
Candida albicans suspensions were cultured in vitro, and biofilms were formed on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a common denture base material. The antifungal effects of different concentrations of ZnPc(Lys)₅ combined with aPDT were assessed against both planktonic Candida and biofilms. Biofilm structural changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the effects on PMMA physical properties (microhardness [HV] and surface roughness [Ra]) were analyzed. Additionally, a mouse model of Candida-associated stomatitis was used to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antifungal efficacy of ZnPc(Lys)₅-aPDT following repeated applications (three treatments over 5 days).Results
ZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated aPDT exerted a significant concentration-dependent fungicidal effect on planktonic C. albicans, with a minimum effective concentration (MEC) of 25 μM and no observed dark toxicity. Against mature biofilms, the 50 μM aPDT treatment achieved a reduction of approximately 96% in recoverable viable biofilm-associated cells (P < 0.0001), which was comparable to the efficacy of the commercial cleanser Polident (P > 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed significant disruption of biofilm architecture, while no significant alterations in PMMA microhardness or surface roughness were observed (P > 0.05). In vivo, repeated applications of ZnPc(Lys)₅-aPDT significantly reduced epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration, demonstrating therapeutic efficacy comparable to nystatin.Conclusion
ZnPc(Lys)₅-aPDT demonstrated significant antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo without compromising PMMA integrity. These findings support ZnPc(Lys)₅ as a promising photosensitizer for denture-surface biofilm control and mucosal inflammation mitigation, warranting further investigation under extended or multi-session clinical protocols.
Related
- Efficacy of indocyanine green-mediated photodynamic therapy in the treatment of Candida albicans-penetrated denture base material: an in vitro study.
- BL-DVDMS-mediated photodynamic therapy induces oxidative response associated with cellular senescence via p53/GADD45A signaling in lung cancer
- Effects of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Mediated by Free Curcumin and Curcumin-Associated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Candida spp. and Microcosm Biofilms Associated with Denture Stomatitis
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pyocyanin Increases Airway Mucin Biosynthesis by SIRT1-Mediated FOXA2 Inactivation
- Berberine-fluconazole synergy against drug-resistant Candida albicans: association with disruption of the Ire1-mediated UPR pathway
BibTeX
@article{li2026znpclys₅mediated,
title = {{ZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated photodynamic inactivation and reduction of Candida albicans biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo.}},
author = {Danlin Li and Fang Yuan and Yuchen Yang and Kangli Zhou and Fei Xie and Zhiming Li and Xiaoling Huang and Mingdong Huang and Minkui Lin},
journal = {Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fbioe.2026.1953510},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909076},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - ZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated photodynamic inactivation and reduction of Candida albicans biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo.
AU - Danlin Li
AU - Fang Yuan
AU - Yuchen Yang
AU - Kangli Zhou
AU - Fei Xie
AU - Zhiming Li
AU - Xiaoling Huang
AU - Mingdong Huang
AU - Minkui Lin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/07
JO - Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology
DO - 10.3389/fbioe.2026.1953510
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909076
AB - Introduction Candida-associated stomatitis is a common oral mucosal condition, particularly among denture wearers, and is closely associated with persistent Candida albicans biofilms on denture surfaces. ZnPc(Lys)₅ is an amphiphilic phthalocyanine-peptide nanomaterial that has previously been shown to form nanoscale supramolecular assemblies in aqueous environments. This study evaluated the efficacy of ZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in reducing denture-associated Candida biofilms and alleviating associated mucosal inflammation.Methods Candida albicans suspensions were cultured in vitro, and biofilms were formed on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a common denture base material. The antifungal effects of different concentrations of ZnPc(Lys)₅ combined with aPDT were assessed against both planktonic Candida and biofilms. Biofilm structural changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the effects on PMMA physical properties (microhardness [HV] and surface roughness [Ra]) were analyzed. Additionally, a mouse model of Candida-associated stomatitis was used to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antifungal efficacy of ZnPc(Lys)₅-aPDT following repeated applications (three treatments over 5 days).Results ZnPc(Lys)₅-mediated aPDT exerted a significant concentration-dependent fungicidal effect on planktonic C. albicans, with a minimum effective concentration (MEC) of 25 μM and no observed dark toxicity. Against mature biofilms, the 50 μM aPDT treatment achieved a reduction of approximately 96% in recoverable viable biofilm-associated cells (P < 0.0001), which was comparable to the efficacy of the commercial cleanser Polident (P > 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed significant disruption of biofilm architecture, while no significant alterations in PMMA microhardness or surface roughness were observed (P > 0.05). In vivo, repeated applications of ZnPc(Lys)₅-aPDT significantly reduced epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration, demonstrating therapeutic efficacy comparable to nystatin.Conclusion ZnPc(Lys)₅-aPDT demonstrated significant antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo without compromising PMMA integrity. These findings support ZnPc(Lys)₅ as a promising photosensitizer for denture-surface biofilm control and mucosal inflammation mitigation, warranting further investigation under extended or multi-session clinical protocols.
SN - 2296-4185
ER -