4.7 Article

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy of Porphyrins in Helicobacter pylori Biofilms

Journal

PHARMACEUTICS
Volume 13, Issue 10, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101674

Keywords

porphyrins; fluorescence lifetime imaging miscroscopy (FLIM); antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT); Helicobacter pylori biofilm

Funding

  1. Regione Toscana Bando FAS Salute 2014 Italy [CUP B52I14005760002]

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Bacterial biofilms create a strong barrier against drugs and the host immune system; Helicobacter pylori's biofilm makes it resistant to antibiotics; Antimicrobial PhotoDynamic Therapy could be an effective strategy against bacterial infections.
Bacterial biofilm constitutes a strong barrier against the penetration of drugs and against the action of the host immune system causing persistent infections hardly treatable by antibiotic therapy. Helicobacter pylori (Hp), the main causative agent for gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma, can form a biofilm composed by an exopolysaccharide matrix layer covering the gastric surface where the bacterial cells become resistant and tolerant to the commonly used antibiotics clarithromycin, amoxicillin and metronidazole. Antimicrobial PhotoDynamic Therapy (aPDT) was proposed as an alternative treatment strategy for eradicating bacterial infections, particularly effective for Hp since this microorganism produces and stores up photosensitizing porphyrins. The knowledge of the photophysical characteristics of Hp porphyrins in their physiological biofilm microenvironment is crucial to implement and optimize the photodynamic treatment. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) of intrinsic bacterial porphyrins was performed and data were analyzed by the 'fit-free' phasor approach in order to map the distribution of the different fluorescent species within Hp biofilm. Porphyrins inside bacteria were easily distinguished from those dispersed in the matrix suggesting FLIM-phasor technique as a sensitive and rapid tool to monitor the photosensitizer distribution inside bacterial biofilms and to better orientate the phototherapeutic strategy.

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