Combined effect of proteins and AgNPs on the adhesion of yeast Candida albicans on solid silica surfaces

Research and development of new biomaterials has considerably increased in the last ten years. Description of their properties involves among others their interaction with proteins. Due to the exposure of proteins to non-biological solid surfaces the relationship between protein structure and function might be modified. The conformation and arrangement of the adsorbed proteins on the surface further control the subsequent biological processes and thus determine the biological response to the material. In this work we present the impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded in the near-surface of thin silica layers on the adhesion forces of Candida albicans IP48.72 in conditioned by different proteins environment. Depending on the nature of proteins the effect can be opposite: The Bovin Serum Albumine (BSA) decreases the yeast adhesion on solid silica surfaces while the Fibronectin (Fn) favors it. It is also found that the AgNPs, when embedded in the near-surface of thin silica layers, impair the adhesion forces of C. albicans through the release of silver ions and lead the cell dead.