Selective damage to hyphal form through light-induced delivery of nitric oxide to Candida albicans colonies

Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, causes severe to life-threatening infections in immunocompromised hosts (e.g. HIV patients, burn victims). Conversion of the commensal yeast form to the invasive hyphal form, triggered by environmental cues, initiates such episodes. Although the antifungal activity of nitric oxide (NO) has been established, very few convenient NO-donating systems for treating C. albicans infection have been reported. In this work, a biocompatible NO-donating material that delivers NO upon illumination with visible light has been employed to eradicate C. albicans in a dose-dependent way. Careful studies on the yeast and hyphal forms with this NO donor have revealed that the hyphal form is more susceptible to NO exposure than the yeast variety. Results of this work suggest that materials of this type could find use in thwarting invasion of the hyphal form of the fungus in cases of invasive C. albicans infection.

Light-triggered NO delivery from a manganese nitrosyl entrapped within a porous material eradicates Candida albicans colonies in a dose-dependent manner. The invasive hyphal form of the fungus exhibits more susceptibility toward NO than the commensal yeast form.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A photoactive nitric oxide-donating material eradicates Candida albicans.
► The effects of nitric oxide on both yeast and hyphal form of the fungus have been determined.
► The hyphal form exhibits more sensitivity to nitric oxide than the yeast form.
► Nitric oxide could be a potential therapeutic to avert invasive Candida infection.