TMPyP-mediated photoinactivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa improved in the presence of a cationic polymer.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most refractory organisms to antibiotic treatment and appears to be one of the least susceptible to photodynamic treatment. TMPyP is effective in the photoinactivation of P. aeruginosa, and the co-administration with the cationic polymer Eudragit®-E100 (Eu) potentiates this effect against isolates both sensitive and resistant to antibiotics. The fluorescent population (>98%) observed by flow cytometry after exposure to Eu + TMPyP remained unchanged after successive washings, indicating a stronger interaction/internalization of TMPyP in the bacteria, which could be attributed to the rapid neutralization of surface charges. TMPyP and Eu produced depolarization of the cytoplasmic membrane, which increased when both cationic compounds were combined. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, heterogeneously distributed fluorescent areas were observed after TMPyP exposure, while homogeneous fluorescence and enhanced intensity were observed with Eu + TMPyP. The polymer caused alterations in the bacterial envelopes that contributed to a deeper and more homogeneous interaction/internalization of TMPyP, leading to a higher probability of damage by cytotoxic ROS and explaining the enhanced result of photodynamic inactivation. Therefore, Eu acts as an adjuvant without being by itself capable of eradicating this pathogen. Moreover, compared with other therapies, this combinatorial strategy with a polymer approved for pharmaceutical applications presents advantages in terms of toxicity risks.

A novel tricationic fullerene C60 as broad-spectrum antimicrobial photosensitizer: mechanisms of action and potentiation with potassium iodide.

A novel amphiphilic photosensitizing agent based on a tricationic fullerene C60 (DMC603+) was efficiently synthesized from its non-charged analogue MMC60. These fullerenes presented strong UV absorptions, with a broad range of less intense absorption up to 710 nm. Both compounds showed low fluorescence emission and were able to photosensitize the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, photodecomposition of L-tryptophan sensitized by both fullerenes indicated an involvement of type II pathway. DMC603+ was an effective agent to produce the photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Mechanistic insight indicated that the photodynamic action sensitized by DMC603+ was mainly mediated by both photoprocesses in bacteria, while a greater preponderance of the type II pathway was found in C. albicans. In presence of potassium iodide, a potentiation of PDI was observed due to the formation of reactive iodine species. Therefore, the amphiphilic DMC603+ can be used as an effective potential broad-spectrum antimicrobial photosensitizer.

Mechanistic aspects in the photodynamic inactivation of Candida albicans sensitized by a dimethylaminopropoxy porphyrin and its equivalent with cationic intrinsic charges.

Photocytotoxic effect induced by 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(3-N,N-dimethylaminopropoxy)phenyl]porphyrin (TAPP) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(3-N,N,N-trimethylaminepropoxy)phenyl]porphyrin (TAPP+4) was examined in Candida albicans to obtain information on the mechanism of photodynamic action and cell damage. For this purpose, the photokilling of the yeast was investigated under anoxic conditions and cell suspensions in D2O. Moreover, photoinactivation of C. albicans was evaluated in presence of reactive oxygen species scavengers, such as sodium azide and d-mannitol. The results indicated that singlet molecular oxygen was the main reactive species involved in cell damage. On the other hand, the binding and distribution of these porphyrins in the cells was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Morphological damage was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), indicating modifications in the cell envelopment. Furthermore, deformed cells were observed after photoinactivation of C. albicans by toluidine blue staining. In addition, modifications in the cell envelope due to the photodynamic activity was found by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Similar photodamage was observed with both porphyrin, which mainly produced alterations in the cell barriers that lead to the photoinactivation of C. albicans.

Photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms sensitized by cationic BODIPY derivatives potentiated by potassium iodide.

The photodynamic inactivation mediated by 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-8-[4-(N,N,N-trimethylamino)phenyl]-4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene 3 and 8-[4-(3-(N,N,N-trimethylamino)propoxy)phenyl]-4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene 4 was investigated on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. In vitro experiments indicated that BODIPYs 3 and 4 were rapidly bound to microbial cells at short incubation periods. Also, fluorescence microscopy images showed green emission of BODIPYs bound to microbial cells. Photosensitized inactivation improved with an increase of the irradiation time. Similar photoinactivation activities were found for both BODIPYs in bacteria. The photoinactivation induced by these BODIPYs was effective for both bacteria. However, the Gram-positive bacterium was inactivated sooner and with a lower concentration of a photosensitizer than the Gram-negative bacterium. After 15 min irradiation, the complete eradication of S. aureus was obtained with 1 µM photosensitizer. A reduction of 4.5 log in the E. coli viability was found when using 5 µM photosensitizer and 30 min irradiation. Also, the last conditions produced a decrease of 4.5 log in C. albicans cells treated with BODIPY 3, while 4 was poorly effective. On the other hand, the effect of the addition of KI on photoinactivation at different irradiation periods and salt concentrations was investigated. A smaller effect was observed in S. aureus because the photosensitizers alone were already very effective. In E. coli, photokilling potentiation was mainly found at longer irradiation periods. Moreover, the photoinactivation of C. albicans mediated by these BODIPYs was increased in the presence of KI. In solution, an increase in the formation of the BODIPY triplet states was observed with the addition of the salt, due to the effect of external heavy atoms. The greater intersystem crossing together with the formation of reactive iodine species induced by BODIPYs may be contributing to enhance the inactivation of microorganisms. Therefore, these BODIPYs represent interesting photosensitizers to inactivate microorganisms. In particular, BODIPY 3 in combination with KI was highly effective as a broad spectrum antimicrobial photosensitizer.

Synthesis, spectroscopic properties and photodynamic activity of two cationic BODIPY derivatives with application in the photoinactivation of microorganisms.

Two cationic BODIPYs 3 and 4 were synthesized by acid-catalyzed condensation of the corresponding pyrrole and benzaldehyde, followed by complexation with boron and methylation. Compound 3 contains methyl at the 1,3,5 and 7 positions of the s-indacene ring and a N,N,N-trimethylamino group attached to the phenylene unit, while 4 is not substituted by methyl groups and the cationic group is bound by an aliphatic spacer. UV-visible absorption spectra of these BODIPYs show an intense band at ∼500 nm in solvents of different polarities and n-heptane/sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT)/water reverse micelles. Compound 3 exhibits a higher fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF = 0.29) than 4 (ΦF = 0.030) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) due to sterically hindered rotation of the phenylene ring. BODIPYs 3 and 4 induce photosensitized oxidation of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) with yields of singlet molecular oxygen of 0.07 and 0.03, respectively. However, the photodynamic activity increases in a microheterogenic medium formed by AOT micelles. Also, both BODIPYs sensitize the photodecomposition of l-tryptophan (Trp). In presence of diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) or D-mannitol, a reduction in the photooxidation of Trp was found, indicating a contribution of type I photoprocess. Moreover, the addition of KI produces fluorescence quenching of BODIPYs and reduces the photooxidation of DPBF. In contrast, this inorganic salt increases the photoinduced decomposition of Trp, possibly due to the formation of reactive iodine species. The effect of KI was also observed in the potentiation of the photoinactivation of microorganisms. Therefore, the presence of KI could increase the decomposition of biomolecules induced by these BODIPYs in a biological media, leading to a higher cell photoinactivation.

Photodynamic inactivation of Candida albicans by a tetracationic tentacle porphyrin and its analogue without intrinsic charges in presence of fluconazole.

The photodynamic inactivation mediated by 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(3-N,N-dimethylaminopropoxy)phenyl]porphyrin (TAPP) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(3-N,N,N-trimethylaminepropoxy)phenyl]porphyrin (TAPP(4+)) were compared in Candida albicans cells. A strong binding affinity was found between these porphyrins and the yeast cells. Photosensitized inactivation of C. albicans increased with both photosensitizer concentration and irradiation time. After 30 min irradiation, a high photoinactivation (∼5 log) was found for C. albicans treated with 5 µM porphyrin. Also, the photoinactivation of yeast cells was still elevated after two washing steps. However, the photocytotoxicity decreases with an increase in the cell density from 10(6) to 10(8) cells/mL. The high photodynamic activity of these porphyrins was also established by growth delay experiments. This C. albicans strain was susceptible to fluconazole with a MIC of 1.0 µg/mL. The effect of photosensitization and the action of fluconazole were combined to eradicate C. albicans. After a PDI treatment with 1 µM porphyrin and 30 min irradiation, the value of MIC decreased to 0.25 µg/mL. In addition, a complete arrest in cell growth was found by combining both effects. TAPP was similarly effective to photoinactivate C. albicans than TAPP(4+). This porphyrin without intrinsic positive charges contains basic amino groups, which can be protonated at physiological pH. Moreover, an enhancement in the antifungal action was found using both therapies because lower doses of the agents were required to achieve cell death.

Mechanistic aspects of the photodynamic inactivation of Candida albicans induced by cationic porphyrin derivatives.

Photodynamic inactivation of Candida albicans produced by 5-(4-trifluorophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(4-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumphenyl)porphyrin (TFAP(3+)), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumphenyl)porphyrin (TMAP(4+)) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (TMPyP(4+)) was investigated to obtain insight about the mechanism of cellular damage. In solution, absorption spectroscopic studies showed that these cationic porphyrins interact strongly with calf thymus DNA. The electrophoretic analysis indicated that photocleavage of DNA induced by TFAP(3+) took place after long irradiation periods (>5 h). In contrast, TMAP(4+) produced a marked reduction in DNA band after 1 h irradiation. In C. albicans, these cationic porphyrins produced a ∼3.5 log decrease in survival when the cell suspensions (10(7) cells/mL) were incubated with 5 µM photosensitizer and irradiated for 30 min with visible light (fluence 162 J/cm(2)). After this treatment, modifications of genomic DNA isolated from C. albicans cells were not found by electrophoresis. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy showed structural changes with appearance of low density areas into the cells and irregularities in cell barriers. However, the photodamage to the cell envelope was insufficient to cause the release of intracellular biopolymers. Therefore, modifications in the cytoplasmic biomolecules and alteration in the cell barriers could be mainly involved in C. albicans photoinactivation.

Mechanistic insight of the photodynamic effect induced by tri- and tetra-cationic porphyrins on Candida albicans cells.

The photodynamic mechanism of action induced by 5-(4-trifluorophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(4-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumphenyl)porphyrin (TFAP(3+)), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumphenyl)porphyrin (TMAP(4+)) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (TMPyP(4+)) was investigated on Candida albicans cells. These cationic porphyrins are effective photosensitizers, producing a ~5 log decrease of cell survival when the cultures are incubated with 5 µM photosensitizer and irradiated for 30 min with visible light. Studies under anoxic conditions indicated that oxygen is necessary for the mechanism of action of photodynamic inactivation of this yeast. Furthermore, photoinactivation of C. albicans cells was negligible in the presence of 100 mM azide ion, whereas the photocytotoxicity induced by these porphyrins increased in D(2)O. In contrast, the addition of 100 mM mannitol produced a negligible effect on the cellular phototoxicity. On the other hand, in vitro direct observation of singlet molecular oxygen, O(2)((1)Δ(g)) phosphorescence at 1270 nm was analyzed using C. albicans in D(2)O. A shorter lifetime of O(2)((1)Δ(g)) was found in yeast cellular suspensions. These cationic porphyrins bind strongly to C. albicans cells and the O(2)((1)Δ(g)) generated inside the cells is rapidly quenched by the biomolecules of the cellular microenvironment. Therefore, the results indicate that these cationic porphyrins appear to act as photosensitizers mainly via the intermediacy of O(2)((1)Δ(g)).

Susceptibility of Candida albicans to photodynamic action of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin in different media.

The photodynamic activity of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (TMPyP) was evaluated in vitro on Candida albicans cells under different experimental conditions. This tetracationic porphyrin binds rapidly to C. albicans cells, reaching a value of ∼1.7 nmol 10(-6) cells when the cellular suspensions (10(6) CFU mL(-1) ) were incubated with 5 µM sensitizer. The amount of cell-bound sensitizer is not appreciably changed when cultures are incubating for longer times (>15 min) but it diminishes with the number of washing steps. Photosensitized inactivation of C. albicans cellular suspensions increases with both sensitizer concentration and irradiation time, causing a ∼5 log decrease of cell survival when the cultures are treated with 5 µM TMPyP and irradiated for 30 min. However, the photocytotoxicity decreases after one washing step, with the decrease in cell-bound sensitizer. The growth of C. albicans cells was arrested when the cultures were exposed to 5 µM TMPyP and visible light. On agar surfaces, the phototoxic effect of this sensitizer, which caused an inactivation of C. albicans cells, remained high. No growth was observed in areas containing TMPyP and irradiated. Moreover, in small C. albicans colonies, C. albicans cells were completely inactivated. These studies indicate that TMPyP is an effective sensitizer for photodynamic inactivation of yeasts in both liquid suspensions or localized on a surface.