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Comparative Study and Transcriptomic Analysis on the Antifungal Mechanism of Ag Nanoparticles and Nanowires Against Trichosporon asahii

Summary

Researchers compared two types of tiny silver particles (nanoparticles and nanowires) as potential treatments for a dangerous fungal infection caused by Trichosporon asahii. Silver nanowires were found to be more effective than nanoparticles at killing the fungus by damaging its cell membranes and disrupting its energy production. The study identified 15 key genes involved in how silver nanowires attack the fungus, suggesting these nanomaterials could become useful alternatives to traditional antifungal drugs.

Background

Trichosporon asahii is a conditionally pathogenic fungus causing invasive infections with high mortality rates. Current antifungal agents have limited mechanisms and fungi develop resistance. Silver nanomaterials have shown promise as antifungal agents but their mechanisms relative to different morphologies remain unclear.

Objective

To compare the antifungal effects and mechanisms of silver nanoparticles versus silver nanowires (both 30 nm) against Trichosporon asahii using transcriptomic analysis and identify key molecular targets involved in antifungal activity.

Results

Silver nanowires demonstrated superior antifungal effects (MFC 5.72 μg/mL) compared to silver nanoparticles (MFC 83.33 μg/mL). Both induced significant morphological damage to fungal cells. RNA sequencing identified 15 key target genes involved in membrane structure, energy metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways, with stronger upregulation in silver nanowire-treated samples.

Conclusion

Silver nanowires show significantly better antifungal activity against T. asahii than silver nanoparticles through multiple mechanisms including membrane disruption and metabolic pathway inhibition. The findings suggest silver nanomaterials with different morphologies have potential applications in treating T. asahii infections.
  • Published in:International Journal of Nanomedicine,
  • Study Type:Comparative In Vitro Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39558917, DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S474299
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