The effects of farnesol on cell death of C.albicans biofilms

Abstract

Aim or Purpose: Farnesol inhibited C. albicans biofilm formation and decreased its drug resistance. The study investigated the effects and the possible mechanisms of farnesol on the cell death (necrosis or apoptosis) of C. albicans biofilms. Materials and Methods: The C. albicans standard strain and the resistant strain, which were divided into C. albicans biofilm farnesol treated groups and its untreated control group in the different growth stages. Morphological changes were observed using confocal laser scanning microscope with PI staining. Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry was employed to analyse the apoptosis and necrosis of C.albicans after treated with farnesol. The expression of CDR1 and MCA1 was detected through RT-qPCR. Results: The necrotic rates of C.albicans biofilms were higher in farnesol treated groups than that of the non-treated control groups (P0.05). Farnesol increased the expression of CDR1 and MCA1 from the resistant strains at the mature biofilm phases and that from the standard strains at the early biofilm phase. Conclusions: Farnesol promotes the necrosis of C.albicans biofilms, which is more obviously on the biofilms from the resistant strains than that from the standard strain. CDR1 and MCA1 may be associated with necrosis of biofilms from the resistant strain regulated by farnesol. The effects of farnesol on the necrosis of the C.albicans biofilm are related to its concentrations and biofilm phases.