A therapeutic anti-Streptococcus mutans monoclonal antibody used in human passive protection trials influences the adaptive immune response

Glycolanguage of the oral microbiota

The oral cavity harbors a diverse and dynamic bacterial biofilm community which is pivotal to oral health maintenance and, if turning dysbiotic, can contribute to various diseases. Glycans as unsurpassed carriers of biological information are participating in underlying processes that shape oral health and disease. Bacterial glycoinfrastructure-encompassing compounds as diverse as glycoproteins, lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), cell wall glycopolymers, and exopolysaccharides-is well known to influence bacterial fitness, with direct effects on bacterial physiology, immunogenicity, lifestyle, and interaction and colonization capabilities. Thus, understanding oral bacterias' glycoinfrastructure and encoded glycolanguage is key to elucidating their pathogenicity mechanisms and developing targeted strategies for therapeutic intervention. Driven by their known immunological role, most research in oral glycobiology has been directed onto LPSs, whereas, recently, glycoproteins have been gaining increased interest. This review draws a multifaceted picture of the glycolanguage, with a focus on glycoproteins, manifested in prominent oral bacteria, such as streptococci, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. We first define the characteristics of the different glycoconjugate classes and then summarize the current status of knowledge of the structural diversity of glycoconjugates produced by oral bacteria, describe governing biosynthetic pathways, and list biological roles of these energetically costly compounds. Additionally, we highlight emerging research on the unraveling impact of oral glycoinfrastructure on dental caries, periodontitis, and systemic conditions. By integrating current knowledge and identifying knowledge gaps, this review underscores the importance of studying the glycolanguage oral bacteria speak to advance our understanding of oral microbiology and develop novel antimicrobials.

Low Salivary IgA Levels Against PAc (361-386) as a Risk Factor for Root Caries in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the intricate relationship between salivary IgA antibody levels to PAc (361-386) (PPA), mutans streptococci colonization, and root caries development in older adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 307 participants aged 76 years residing in Niigata city, Japan. Clinical oral examinations were performed at baseline in 2004 and 1 year later, during which the total number of untreated and treated root caries was assessed using the root decayed, filled tooth (DFT) index. The stimulated saliva samples were collected using the spitting method during the baseline survey. Salivary IgA antibody levels to amino acid residues 361-386 of Streptococcus mutans PAc were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses, including the χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regressions, were performed to examine the association of increased root DFT with the independent variables.

RESULTS

Among the 307 participants (53.1% men), the mean root DFT at baseline was 3.77 ± 3.66, and 36.5% of the study sample exhibited increased root DFT after 1 year with a mean increment of 0.36 ± 0.48. Participants with increase in root DFT after 1 year had significantly higher rates of low PPA levels (≤ 25th percentile) than those without increased root DFT (p = 0.020). Low PPA levels (≤ 25th percentile) were significantly more likely to have an increased risk of root caries development compared with PPA levels > 25th percentile (adjusted OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.09-3.25).

CONCLUSION

Low PPA levels and root caries incidence correlated significantly, suggesting that low levels of salivary IgA antibody to PAc (361-386) may serve as a risk factor for increased root caries in older adults.

Saliva as Biomarker for Oral and Chronic Degenerative Non-Communicable Diseases

Saliva is a very complex fluid and it is essential to maintain several physiological processes and functions, including oral health, taste, digestion and immunological defenses. Saliva composition and the oral microbiome can be influenced by several factors, like diet and smoking habits, and their alteration can represent an important access point for pathogens and, thus, for systemic illness onset. In this review, we explore the potentiality of saliva as a new tool for the early detection of some pathological conditions, such as oral diseases, chronic degenerative non-communicable diseases, among these chronic kidney disease (CKD). We also examined the possible correlation between oral and systemic diseases and oral and gut microbiota dysbiosis. In particular, we deeply analyzed the relationship between oral diseases and CKD. In this context, some salivary parameters can represent a new device to detect either oral or systemic pathologies. Moreover, the positive modulation of oral and gut microbiota induced by prebiotics, postbiotics, or symbiotics could represent a new possible adjuvant therapy in the clinical management of oral diseases and CKD.

Interconnections Between the Oral and Gut Microbiomes: Reversal of Microbial Dysbiosis and the Balance Between Systemic Health and Disease

The human microbiota represents a complex array of microbial species that influence the balance between the health and pathology of their surrounding environment. These microorganisms impart important biological benefits to their host, such as immune regulation and resistance to pathogen colonization. Dysbiosis of microbial communities in the gut and mouth precede many oral and systemic diseases such as cancer, autoimmune-related conditions, and inflammatory states, and can involve the breakdown of innate barriers, immune dysregulation, pro-inflammatory signaling, and molecular mimicry. Emerging evidence suggests that periodontitis-associated pathogens can translocate to distant sites to elicit severe local and systemic pathologies, which necessitates research into future therapies. Fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics represent current modes of treatment to reverse microbial dysbiosis through the introduction of health-related bacterial species and substrates. Furthermore, the emerging field of precision medicine has been shown to be an effective method in modulating host immune response through targeting molecular biomarkers and inflammatory mediators. Although connections between the human microbiome, immune system, and systemic disease are becoming more apparent, the complex interplay and future innovations in treatment modalities will become elucidated through continued research and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Dental caries vaccine: are we there yet?

Dental caries, caused by Streptococcus mutans, is a common infection. Caries vaccine has been under investigation for the last 40 years. Many in vitro and in vivo studies and some human clinical trials have determined many pertinent aspects regarding vaccine development. The virulence determinants of Strep. mutans, such as Ag I/II, responsible for adherence to surfaces, glucosyltransferase, responsible for the production of glucan, and the glucan-binding protein, responsible for the attachment of glucan to surfaces, have been known to elicit an antigen-specific immune response. It is also known that more than one antigen or a functional part of the genome responsible for these virulence determinants provide a better host response compared with the monogenic vaccine or complete genome of a specific antigen. To enhance the host response, the use of adjuvants has been studied and the routes of antigen administration have been investigated. In recent years, some promising vaccines such as pGJA-P/VAX, LT derivative/Pi_39-512 , KFD2-rPAc and SBR/GBR-CMV-nirB have been developed and tested in animals. New virulence targets need to be explored. Multicentre collaborative studies and human clinical trials are required and some interest from funders and public health experts should be generated to overcome this hurdle. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Dental caries is an irreversible, multifactorial opportunistic infection. The treatment is costly, making it a public health problem. Despite many years of promising laboratory research, animal studies and clinical trials, there is no commercially available vaccine today. The research objectives have become more refined from lessons learnt over the years. Multigenic DNA/recombinant vaccines, using the best proved adjuvants with a delivery system for the nasal or sublingual route, should be developed and researched with multicentre collaborative efforts. In addition, new vaccine targets can be identified. To overcome the economic hurdle, funders and public health interest should be stimulated.

Modulation of Antibody Responses to the V1V2 and V3 Regions of HIV-1 Envelope by Immune Complex Vaccines

Prophylactic HIV vaccines must elicit antibodies (Abs) against the virus envelope glycoproteins (Env) to effectively prevent HIV infection. We investigated a vaccine platform that utilizes immune complexes made of Env proteins gp120 and monoclonal Abs (mAbs) against different gp120 epitopes. We previously observed alterations in V3 antigenicity upon formation of certain gp120/mAb complexes and demonstrated the ability of these complexes to modulate the elicitation of V3 Ab responses. However, the effects on the V1V2 domain, an important target for Abs that correlate with vaccine-induced protection against HIV, have not been studied, nor have immune complex vaccines made with non-B subtype Env. This study compared subtypes B (JRFL) and CRF_01.AE (A244) Env gp120 proteins in complex with selected gp120-specific mAbs. Allosteric and antigenic changes were detected on these immune complexes, indicating that gp120/mAb interaction induces alterations on the Env surface that may modify the Env immunogenic properties. To evaluate this idea, mice were immunized with gp120/mAb complexes or their uncomplexed gp120 counterparts. The overall serum IgG titers elicited against gp120 were comparable, but a marked skewing toward V1V2 or V3 was evident and dependent on the gp120 strain and the specificity of the mAb used to form the complexes. Compared with uncomplexed gp120_JRFL, gp120_JRFL complexed with CD4bs or V1V2 mAbs, but not with C2 or V3 mAbs, elicited V3 Abs of greater titers and breadth, and Abs more capable of neutralizing tier 1 virus. Epitope mapping revealed a shift to a more conserved site in the V3 crown. However, the complexes did not enhance V1V2 Ab response, and the elicited V1V2 Abs were not cross-reactive. This profile contrasts with Ab responses to gp120_A244/mAb complexes. Notably, gp120_A244/mAb complexes induced higher levels of V1V2 Abs with some cross-reactivity, while also stimulating weak or strain-specific V3 Abs. Sera from gp120_A244/mAb complex-immunized animals displayed no measurable virus neutralization but did mediate Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis, albeit at levels similar to that induced by gp120_A244 alone. These data indicate the potential utility of immune complexes as vaccines to shape Ab responses toward or away from Env sites of interest.

Glycan recognition at the saliva - oral microbiome interface

The mouth is a first critical interface where most potentially harmful substances or pathogens contact the host environment. Adaptive and innate immune defense mechanisms are established there to inactivate or eliminate pathogenic microbes that traverse the oral environment on the way to their target organs and tissues. Protein and glycoprotein components of saliva play a particularly important role in modulating the oral microbiota and helping with the clearance of pathogens. It has long been acknowledged that glycobiological and glycoimmunological aspects play a pivotal role in oral host-microbe, microbe-host, and microbe-microbe interactions in the mouth. In this review, we aim to delineate how glycan-mediated host defense mechanisms in the oral cavity support human health. We will describe the role of glycans attached to large molecular size salivary glycoproteins which act as a first line of primordial host defense in the human mouth. We will further discuss how glycan recognition contributes to both colonization and clearance of oral microbes.

Second-generation Flagellin-rPAc Fusion Protein, KFD2-rPAc, Shows High Protective Efficacy against Dental Caries with Low Potential Side Effects

Dental caries is one of the most common global chronic diseases affecting all ages of the population; thus a vaccine against caries is urgently needed. Our previous studies demonstrated that a fusion protein, KF-rPAc, in which rPAc of S. mutans is directly fused to the C-terminal of E. coli-derived flagellin (KF), could confer high prophylactic and therapeutic efficiency against caries. However, possible side effects, including the high antigenicity of flagellin and possible inflammatory injury induced by flagellin, may restrict its clinical usage. Here, we produced a second-generation flagellin-rPAc fusion protein, KFD2-rPAc, by replacing the main antigenicity region domains D2 and D3 of KF with rPAc. Compared with KF-rPAc, KFD2-rPAc has lower TLR5 agonist efficacy and induces fewer systemic inflammatory responses in mice. After intranasal immunization, KFD2-rPAc induces significantly lower flagellin-specific antibody responses but a comparable level of rPAc-specific antibody responses in mice. More importantly, in rat challenge models, KFD2-rPAc induces a robust rPAc-specific IgA response, and confers efficient prophylactic and therapeutic efficiency against caries as does KF-rPAc, while the flagellin-specific antibody responses are highly reduced. In conclusion, low side effects and high protective efficiency against caries makes the second-generation flagellin-rPAc fusion protein, KFD2-rPAc, a promising vaccine candidate against caries.

Antibody Production in Plants and Green Algae

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have a wide range of modern applications, including research, diagnostic, therapeutic, and industrial uses. Market demand for mAbs is high and continues to grow. Although mammalian systems, which currently dominate the biomanufacturing industry, produce effective and safe recombinant mAbs, they have a limited manufacturing capacity and high costs. Bacteria, yeast, and insect cell systems are highly scalable and cost effective but vary in their ability to produce appropriate posttranslationally modified mAbs. Plants and green algae are emerging as promising production platforms because of their time and cost efficiencies, scalability, lack of mammalian pathogens, and eukaryotic posttranslational protein modification machinery. So far, plant- and algae-derived mAbs have been produced predominantly as candidate therapeutics for infectious diseases and cancer. These candidates have been extensively evaluated in animal models, and some have shown efficacy in clinical trials. Here, we review ongoing efforts to advance the production of mAbs in plants and algae.

Potent In Vitro and In Vivo Activity of Plantibody Specific for Porphyromonas gingivalis FimA

Fimbrial protein fimbrillin (FimA), a major structural subunit of Porphyromonas gingivalis, has been suggested as a vaccine candidate to control P. gingivalis-induced periodontal disease. Previously, cDNAs encoding IgG monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against purified FimA from P. gingivalis 2561 have been cloned, and the MAbs have been produced in rice cell suspension. Here we examined the biological activities of the plant-produced MAb specific for FimA (anti-FimA plantibody) of P. gingivalis in vitro and in vivo. The anti-FimA plantibody recognized oligomeric/polymeric forms of native FimA in immunoblot analysis and showed high affinity for native FimA (KD = 0.11 nM). Binding of P. gingivalis (10(8) cells) to 2 mg of saliva-coated hydroxyapatite beads was reduced by 53.8% in the presence of 1 μg/ml plantibody. Anti-FimA plantibody (10 μg/ml) reduced invasion of periodontal ligament cells by P. gingivalis (multiplicity of infection, 100) by 68.3%. Intracellular killing of P. gingivalis opsonized with the anti-FimA plantibody by mouse macrophages was significantly increased (77.1%) compared to killing of bacterial cells with irrelevant IgG (36.7%). In a mouse subcutaneous chamber model, the number of recoverable P. gingivalis cells from the chamber fluid was significantly reduced when the numbers of bacterial cells opsonized with anti-FimA plantibody were compared with the numbers of bacterial cells with irrelevant IgG, 66.7% and 37.1%, respectively. These in vitro and in vivo effects of anti-FimA plantibody were comparable to those of the parental MAb. Further studies with P. gingivalis strains with different types of fimbriae are needed to investigate the usefulness of anti-FimA plantibody for passive immunization to control P. gingivalis-induced periodontal disease.

Effects of soybean milk, chitosan, and anti-Streptococcus mutans IgY in malnourished rats' dental biofilm and the IgY persistency in saliva

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the eff ect of soybean milk containing a combination of anti-Streptococcus mutans IgY and chitosan to the colonization of S. mutans in the saliva and to the IgY persistency in the saliva.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental malnourished Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with soybean milk that is enriched with anti-S. mutans IgY and chitosan. After 15 days of feeding, we evaluated the S. mutans in dental biofilm, in addition to the persistency level of anti-S. mutans IgY.

RESULTS

The rats that received soybean milk supplemented with anti-S. mutans IgY had the lowest number of S. mutans colonies (p < 0.05). Anti-S. mutans IgY was detected in saliva after 15 days of feeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Soybean milk supplemented with anti-S. mutans IgY and chitosan could signifi cantly reduce S. mutans biofilm, and the supplemented anti-S. mutans IgY persisted in these rats' saliva following the feeding period.

Comparison of immunological and microbiological characteristics in children and the elderly with or without dental caries

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among early childhood caries (ECC), root caries (RC), the quantity of Streptococcus mutans in saliva, and the concentrations of total and specific secretory IgA (sIgA). Saliva samples were collected from 70 children, 3-4 yr of age, with and without ECC, and from 43 adults, ≥60 yr of age, with and without RC. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) and decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (dmfs) scores of each child, and the root decayed and filled teeth (RDFT) and root decayed and filled surfaces (RDFS) scores of each elderly subject, were determined. The S. mutans levels, total sIgA, and specific sIgA against two virulence antigens of S. mutans in saliva were analysed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and ELISAs. The quantity of S. mutans was significantly higher in caries-positive subjects within the two populations than in the caries-free subjects; and a positive correlation was found between the quantity of S. mutans and the dmft, dmfs, RDFT, and RDFS scores. In addition, the salivary total sIgA was significantly higher in children with severe early childhood caries (SECC) and in the elderly subjects with RC. Moreover, although the S. mutans level was significantly higher, the concentrations of specific sIgA against S. mutans antigens were significantly lower in samples from elderly subjects than in samples from children. These results support the concept that S. mutans is positively associated with ECC and RC. Furthermore, the levels of S. mutans-specific antibodies in saliva are too low to prevent infection with cariogenic bacteria and to inhibit development of ECC and RC.

The oral microbiome and the immunobiology of periodontal disease and caries

The composition of the oral microbiome differs from one intraoral site to another, reflecting in part the host response and immune capacity at each site. By focusing on two major oral infections, periodontal disease and caries, new principles of disease emerge. Periodontal disease affects the soft tissues and bone that support the teeth. Caries is a unique infection of the dental hard tissues. The initiation of both diseases is marked by an increase in the complexity of the microbiome. In periodontitis, pathobionts and keystone pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis appear in greater proportion than in health. As a keystone pathogen, P. gingivalis impairs host immune responses and appears necessary but not sufficient to cause periodontitis. Historically, dental caries had been causally linked to Streptococcus mutans. Contemporary microbiome studies now indicate that singular pathogens are not obvious in either caries or periodontitis. Both diseases appear to result from a perturbation among relatively minor constituents in local microbial communities resulting in dysbiosis. Emergent consortia of the minor members of the respective microbiomes act synergistically to stress the ability of the host to respond and protect. In periodontal disease, host protection first occurs at the level of innate gingival epithelial immunity. Secretory IgA antibody and other salivary antimicrobial systems also act against periodontopathic and cariogenic consortia. When the gingival immune response is impaired, periodontal tissue pathology results when matrix metalloproteinases are released from neutrophils and T cells mediate alveolar bone loss. In caries, several species are acidogenic and aciduric and appear to work synergistically to promote demineralization of the enamel and dentin. Whereas technically possible, particularly for caries, vaccines are unlikely to be commercialized in the near future because of the low morbidity of caries and periodontitis.

An intramolecular lock facilitates folding and stabilizes the tertiary structure of Streptococcus mutans adhesin P1

The cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans uses adhesin P1 to adhere to tooth surfaces, extracellular matrix components, and other bacteria. A composite model of P1 based on partial crystal structures revealed an unusual complex architecture in which the protein forms an elongated hybrid alpha/polyproline type II helical stalk by folding back on itself to display a globular head at the apex and a globular C-terminal region at the base. The structure of P1's N terminus and the nature of its critical interaction with the C-terminal region remained unknown, however. We have cocrystallized a stable complex of recombinant N- and C-terminal fragments and here describe a previously unidentified topological fold in which these widely discontinuous domains are intimately associated. The structure reveals that the N terminus forms a stabilizing scaffold by wrapping behind the base of P1's elongated stalk and physically "locking" it into place. The structure is stabilized through a highly favorable ΔG(solvation) on complex formation, along with extensive hydrogen bonding. We confirm the functional relevance of this intramolecular interaction using differential scanning calorimetry and circular dichroism to show that disruption of the proper spacing of residues 989-1001 impedes folding and diminishes stability of the full-length molecule, including the stalk. Our findings clarify previously unexplained functional and antigenic properties of P1.

Immunogenicity and in vitro and in vivo protective effects of antibodies targeting a recombinant form of the Streptococcus mutans P1 surface protein

Streptococcus mutans is a major etiologic agent of dental caries, a prevalent worldwide infectious disease and a serious public health concern. The surface-localized S. mutans P1 adhesin contributes to tooth colonization and caries formation. P1 is a large (185-kDa) and complex multidomain protein considered a promising target antigen for anticaries vaccines. Previous observations showed that a recombinant P1 fragment (P1(39-512)), produced in Bacillus subtilis and encompassing a functional domain, induces antibodies that recognize the native protein and interfere with S. mutans adhesion in vitro. In the present study, we further investigated the immunological features of P1(39-512) in combination with the following different adjuvants after parenteral administration to mice: alum, a derivative of the heat-labile toxin (LT), and the phase 1 flagellin of S. Typhimurium LT2 (FliCi). Our results demonstrated that recombinant P1(39-512) preserves relevant conformational epitopes as well as salivary agglutinin (SAG)-binding activity. Coadministration of adjuvants enhanced anti-P1 serum antibody responses and affected both epitope specificity and immunoglobulin subclass switching. Importantly, P1(39-512)-specific antibodies raised in mice immunized with adjuvants showed significantly increased inhibition of S. mutans adhesion to SAG, with less of an effect on SAG-mediated bacterial aggregation, an innate defense mechanism. Oral colonization of mice by S. mutans was impaired in the presence of anti-P1(39-512) antibodies, particularly those raised in combination with adjuvants. In conclusion, our results confirm the utility of P1(39-512) as a potential candidate for the development of anticaries vaccines and as a tool for functional studies of S. mutans P1.

The calcium-induced conformation and glycosylation of scavenger-rich cysteine repeat (SRCR) domains of glycoprotein 340 influence the high affinity interaction with antigen I/II homologs

Oral streptococci adhere to tooth-immobilized glycoprotein 340 (GP340) via the surface protein antigen I/II (AgI/II) and its homologs as the first step in pathogenesis. Studying this interaction using recombinant proteins, we observed that calcium increases the conformational stability of the scavenger-rich cysteine repeat (SRCRs) domains of GP340. Our results also show that AgI/II adheres specifically with nanomolar affinity to the calcium-induced SRCR conformation in an immobilized state and not in solution. This interaction is significantly dependent on the O-linked carbohydrates present on the SRCRs. This study also establishes that a single SRCR domain of GP340 contains the two surfaces to which the apical and C-terminal regions of AgI/II noncompetitively adhere. Compared with the single SRCR domain, the three tandem SRCR domains displayed a collective/cooperative increase in their bacterial adherence and aggregation. The previously described SRCRP2 peptide that was shown to aggregate several oral streptococci displayed limited aggregation and also nonspecific adherence compared to SRCR domains. Finally, we show distinct species-specific adherence/aggregation between Streptococcus mutans AgI/II and Streptococcus gordonii SspB in their interaction with the SRCRs. This study concludes that identification of the metal ion and carbohydrate adherence motifs on both SRCRs and AgI/II homologs could lead to the development of anti-adhesive inhibitors that could deter the adherence of pathogenic oral streptococci and thereby prevent the onset of infections.

Alterations in immunodominance of Streptococcus mutans AgI/II: lessons learned from immunomodulatory antibodies

Streptococcus mutans antigen I/II (AgI/II) has been widely studied as a candidate vaccine antigen against human dental caries. In this report we follow up on prior studies that indicated that anti-AgI/II immunomodulatory monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) exerted their effects by destabilizing the native protein structure and exposing cryptic epitopes. We show here that similar results can be obtained by immunizing mice with truncated polypeptides out of the context of an intra-molecular interaction that occurs within the full-length molecule and that appears to dampen the functional response against at least two important target epitopes. Putative T cell epitopes that influenced antibody specificity were identified immediately upstream of the alanine-rich repeat domain. Adherence inhibiting antibodies could be induced against two discrete domains of the protein, one corresponding to the central portion of the molecule and the other corresponding to the C-terminus.

Total IgA and IgA reactivity to antigen I/II epitopes in HLA-DRB1*04 positive subjects

Bacterial adherence to the acquired dental pellicle, important in dental caries (caries), is mediated by receptor-adhesins such as salivary agglutinin binding to Streptococcus mutans antigen I/II (I/II). Ten selected I/II epitopes were chosen to determine their reactivity to human salivary IgA. Previous studies suggested that a specific HLA biomarker group (HLA-DRB1*04) may have differential influence of immune responses to I/II. However, it was not known whether secretory IgA (SIgA) responses to the selected epitopes from HLA-DRB1*04 positive subjects were different compared to controls, or across other caries-related factors such as total IgA (TIgA). Thirty-two total subjects were matched according to HLA type, gender, ethnicity and age. HLA genotyping, oral bacterial, immunoglobulin and antibody analyses were performed. A large observed difference emerged with regard to the natural immune reservoir of TIgA in HLA-DRB1*04 positive subjects, specifically, a 27.6% reduction compared to controls. In contrast to all other epitopes studied, HLA-DRB1*04 positive subjects also exhibited reduced reactivity to I/II epitope 834-853. HLA-DRB1*04 positive subjects exhibited lower specific SIgA activity/TIgA to 834-853 and also a lower specific reactivity to 834-853/whole cell S. mutans UA159. Furthermore, HLA-DRB1*04 positive subjects exhibited lower responses to I/II in its entirety. The large observed difference in TIgA and the 834-853 reactivity pattern across multiple measures suggest potentially important connections pertaining to the link between HLA-DRB1*04 and caries.

Functional amyloid formation by Streptococcus mutans

Dental caries is a common infectious disease associated with acidogenic and aciduric bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans. Organisms that cause cavities form recalcitrant biofilms, generate acids from dietary sugars and tolerate acid end products. It has recently been recognized that micro-organisms can produce functional amyloids that are integral to biofilm development. We now show that the S. mutans cell-surface-localized adhesin P1 (antigen I/II, PAc) is an amyloid-forming protein. This conclusion is based on the defining properties of amyloids, including binding by the amyloidophilic dyes Congo red (CR) and Thioflavin T (ThT), visualization of amyloid fibres by transmission electron microscopy and the green birefringent properties of CR-stained protein aggregates when viewed under cross-polarized light. We provide evidence that amyloid is present in human dental plaque and is produced by both laboratory strains and clinical isolates of S. mutans. We provide further evidence that amyloid formation is not limited to P1, since bacterial colonies without this adhesin demonstrate residual green birefringence. However, S. mutans lacking sortase, the transpeptidase enzyme that mediates the covalent linkage of its substrates to the cell-wall peptidoglycan, including P1 and five other proteins, is not birefringent when stained with CR and does not form biofilms. Biofilm formation is inhibited when S. mutans is cultured in the presence of known inhibitors of amyloid fibrillization, including CR, Thioflavin S and epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which also inhibited ThT uptake by S. mutans extracellular proteins. Taken together, these results indicate that S. mutans is an amyloid-forming organism and suggest that amyloidogenesis contributes to biofilm formation by this oral microbe.

YidC1 and YidC2 are functionally distinct proteins involved in protein secretion, biofilm formation and cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans

The cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans has two paralogues of the YidC/Oxa1/Alb3 family of membrane protein insertases/chaperones. Disruption of yidC2 results in loss of genetic competence, decreased membrane-associated ATPase activity and stress sensitivity (acid, osmotic and oxidative). Elimination of yidC1 has less severe effects, with little observable effect on growth or stress sensitivity. To examine the respective roles of YidC1 and YidC2, a conditional expression system was developed allowing simultaneous elimination of both endogenous YidCs. The function of the YidC C-terminal tails was also investigated and a chimeric YidC1 protein appended with the C terminus of YidC2 enabled YidC1 to complement a ΔyidC2 mutant for stress tolerance, ATP hydrolysis activity and extracellular glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity. Elimination of yidC1 or yidC2 affected levels of extracellular proteins, including GtfB, GtfC and adhesin P1 (AgI/II, PAc), which were increased without YidC1 but decreased in the absence of YidC2. Both yidC1 and yidC2 were shown to contribute to S. mutans biofilm formation and to cariogenicity in a rat model. Collectively, these results provide evidence that YidC1 and YidC2 contribute to cell surface biogenesis and protein secretion in S. mutans and that differences in stress sensitivity between the ΔyidC1 and ΔyidC2 mutants stem from a functional difference in the C-termini of these two proteins.