DNA-aptamer-nanographene oxide as a targeted bio-theragnostic system in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against Porphyromonas gingivalis

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to design and evaluate the specificity of a targeted bio-theragnostic system based on DNA-aptamer-nanographene oxide (NGO) against Porphyromonas gingivalis during antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Following synthesis and confirmation of NGO, the binding of selected labeled DNA-aptamer to NGO was performed and its hemolytic activity, cytotoxic effect, and release times were evaluated. The specificity of DNA-aptamer-NGO to P. gingivalis was determined. The antimicrobial effect, anti-biofilm potency, and anti-metabolic activity of aPDT were then assessed after the determination of the bacteriostatic and bactericidal concentrations of DNA-aptamer-NGO against P. gingivalis. Eventually, the apoptotic effect and anti-virulence capacity of aPDT based on DNA-aptamer-NGO were investigated. The results showed that NGO with a flaky, scale-like, and layered structure in non-cytotoxic DNA-aptamer-NGO has a continuous release in the weak-acid environment within a period of 240 h. The binding specificity of DNA-aptamer-NGO to P. gingivalis was confirmed by flow cytometry. When irradiated, non-hemolytic DNA-aptamer-NGO were photoactivated, generated ROS, and led to a significant decrease in the cell viability of P. gingivalis (P 0.05) and the expression level of genes involved in bacterial biofilm formation and response to oxidative stress changed significantly after exposure to aPDT. It is concluded that aPDT using DNA-aptamer-NGO as a targeted bio-theragnostic system is a promising approach to detect and eliminate P. gingivalis as one of the main bacteria involved in periodontitis in periopathogenic complex in real-time and in situ.