Bafilomycin A1 Inhibits The Candida Albicans-Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm

The symbiosis of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans plays an important role in the progression of dental caries. Bafilomycin A1 (BAF) is the specific inhibitor of vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase, which is a key enzyme regulating the growth and virulence of Candida albicans. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BAF against C. albicans cell and C. albicans-S. mutans dual-species biofilm. C. albicans cells were treated with different concentrations of BAF (0, 0.1, and 0.5 μM). The growth rate, colony morphology and cell morphology were observed, and the acid production and reactive oxygen species accumulation were detected. With construction of C. albicans-S. mutans dual-species biofilm, the biofilm biomass, exopolysaccharides and lactic acid production were examined, and the biofilm structure was observed under CLSM and SEM. Candida albicans cells treated with 0.5 μM BAF exhibited slow growth rate, decreased hyphal development and acid production, and enhanced reactive oxygen species accumulation. The C. albicans-S. mutans biofilm after BAF treatment showed reduced microorganisms, exopolysaccharides and lactic acid production. The biofilm structure was loose with decreased C. albicans cells and the proportion of hyphae, less tight adhesion between the two species, and decreased extracellular matrix. Bafilomycin A1 can inhibit the growth of C. albicans cells and destruct the structure of C. albicans-S. mutans cross-kingdom biofilm. This study may help to develop new methods for the prevention and treatment of fungal infections and dental caries.