Effect of phenotype switched Candida auris mono-culture and co-culture biofilms on the morphology, viability, and adhesion of hTERT TIGKs and ORL-48 cell lines

Zainal, Mukarramah and Mohd Sarmin, Nurul ‘Izzah and Ibrahim, Mohammad Johari and Cirillo, Nicola and Dashper, Stuart G. and Arzmi, Mohd Hafiz (2025) Effect of phenotype switched Candida auris mono-culture and co-culture biofilms on the morphology, viability, and adhesion of hTERT TIGKs and ORL-48 cell lines. Archives of Oral Biology, 182 (1). pp. 1-10. ISSN 0003-9969 E-ISSN 1879-1506

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Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to determine the paracrine effects of Candida auris phenotypic switching in mono- and co-culture with Staphylococcus aureus on oral epithelial homeostasis and oncogenic progression in phenotypically normal (hTERT TIGKs) and malignant (ORL-48) oral keratinocytes. Design: C. auris switched phenotype was scored using Phloxine B, and mono- and co-culture biofilms with S. aureus were developed. hTERT TIGKs and ORL-48 cell lines were independently seeded into 6-well and 96-well plates for dispase and viability test, respectively. The oral cell lines were exposed to phenotypically switched C. auris mono- and co-culture biofilm test cell growth medium (TCGM) for 24 h. Outcomes included cell morphology, metabolic activity/viability (CCK-8), and cell–cell adhesion (dispase assay). Results: Microscopic observation revealed that the biofilm induced damage and disrupted epithelial cell integrity in a paracrine manner. The mono- and co-culture TCGM suppressed the growth of normal cells while promoting the metabolic activity of cancer cells. The adhesion analysis of hTERT TIGKs indicated a strong intercellular cohesion, while ORL-48 cells downregulated intercellular adhesion and compromised cell-cell cohesion. Conclusion: C. auris biofilms promote the development of a malignant phenotype by regulating cell viability, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and adhesion in a switched generation-dependent manner.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	7855/127550
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Candida auris; Staphylococcus aureus; Phenotype switch; Biofilm; HTERT TIGKs; ORL-48; EMT; Interkingdom interaction; Oral carcinogenesis
Subjects:	Q Science > QR Microbiology R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Dentistry Kulliyyah of Dentistry > Department of Fundamental Dental and Medical Sciences
Depositing User:	AP Ts Dr Mohd Hafiz Arzmi
Date Deposited:	25 Feb 2026 16:03
Last Modified:	25 Feb 2026 16:04
Queue Number:	2026-02-Q2242
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/127550

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