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Wang L, Liu P, Wu Y, Pei H, Cao X. Inhibitory effect of Lonicera japonica flos on Streptococcus mutans biofilm and mechanism exploration through metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1435503. [PMID: 39027105 PMCID: PMC11256199 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1435503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Streptococcus mutans was the primary pathogenic organism responsible for dental caries. Lonicera japonica flos (LJF) is a traditional herb in Asia and Europe and consumed as a tea beverage for thousands of years. Methods The inhibitory effect and mechanism of LJF on biofilm formation by S. mutans was investigated. The active extracts of LJF were validated for their inhibitory activity by examining changes in surface properties such as adherence, hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation abilities, and exopolysaccharides (EPS) production, including water-soluble glucan and water-insoluble glucan. Results and discussion LJF primarily inhibited biofilm formation through the reduction of EPS production, resulting in alterations in cell surface characteristics and growth retardation in biofilm formation cycles. Integrated transcriptomic and untargeted metabolomics analyses revealed that EPS production was modulated through two-component systems (TCS), quorum sensing (QS), and phosphotransferase system (PTS) pathways under LJF stress conditions. The sensing histidine kinase VicK was identified as an important target protein, as LJF caused its dysregulated expression and blocked the sensing of autoinducer II (AI-2). This led to the inhibition of response regulator transcriptional factors, down-regulated glycosyltransferase (Gtf) activity, and decreased production of water-insoluble glucans (WIG) and water-soluble glucans (WSG). This is the first exploration of the inhibitory effect and mechanism of LJF on S. mutans, providing a theoretical basis for the application of LJF in functional food, oral health care, and related areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xueli Cao
- Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing, China
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Si B, Yang Y, Naveed M, Wang F, Chan MWH. Characterizations of biogenic selenium nanoparticles and their anti-biofilm potential against Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 84:127448. [PMID: 38626650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION S. mutans has been identified as the primary pathogenic bacterium in biofilm-mediated dental caries. The biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) produced by L. plantarum KNF-5 were used in this study against S. mutans ATCC 25175. OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were: (1) the biosynthesis of SeNPs by L. plantarum KNF-5, (2) the characterization of SeNPs, (3) the investigation of the inhibitory effect of biogenic SeNPs against S. mutans ATCC 25175, and (4) the determination of the anti-biofilm potential of SeNPS against S. mutans ATCC 25175. METHODOLOGY 3 mL of the culture was added to 100 mL of MRS medium and incubated. After 4 h, Na2SeO3 solution (concentration 100 μg/mL) was added and incubated at 37 °C for 36 h. The color of the culture solution changed from brownish-yellow to reddish, indicating the formation of SeNPs. The characterization of SeNPs was confirmed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, SEM-EDS and a particle size analyzer. The antibacterial activity was determined by the disk diffusion method, the MIC by the micro-double dilution method, and the biofilm inhibitory potential by the crystal violet method and the MTT assay. The effect of SeNPs on S. mutans ATCC 25175 was determined using SEM and CLSM spectrometry techniques. The sulfate-anthrone method was used to analyze the effect of SeNPs on insoluble extracellular polysaccharides. The expression of genes in S. mutans ATCC 25175 was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). PREPARATION OF NANOPARTICLES SeNPs produced by probiotic bacteria are considered a safe method. In this study, L. plantarum KNF-5 (probiotic strain) was used for the production of SeNPs. RESULTS The biogenic SeNPs were spherical and coated with proteins and polysaccharides and had a diameter of about 270 nm. The MIC of the SeNPs against S. mutans ATCC 25175 was 3.125 mg/mL. Biofilm growth was also significantly suppressed at this concentration. The expression of genes responsible for biofilm formation (GtfB, GtfC, BrpA and GbpB,) was reduced when S. mutans ATCC 25175 was treated with SeNPs. CONCLUSION It was concluded that the biogenic SeNPs produced by L. plantarum KNF-5 was highly effective to inhibit the growth of S. mutans ATCC 25175. NOVELTY STATEMENT The application of biogenic SeNPs, a natural anti-biofilm agent against S. mutans ATCC 25175. In the future, this study will provide a new option for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Si
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China; School of Light Industry, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China; School of Light Industry, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China
| | - Muhammad Naveed
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China; School of Light Industry, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China
| | - Fenghuan Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China; School of Light Industry, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Malik Wajid Hussain Chan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China; School of Light Industry, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China.
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Chen H, Xu M, Zhang B, Yu S, Weir MD, Melo MAS, Masri RM, Tang Y, Xu HHK, Yang D. Novel strategy of S. mutans gcrR gene over-expression plus antibacterial dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate suppresses biofilm acids and reduces dental caries in rats. Dent Mater 2024:S0109-5641(24)00160-X. [PMID: 38942710 DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2024.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is a major contributor to dental caries, with its ability to synthesize extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) and biofilms. The gcrR gene is a regulator of EPS synthesis and biofilm formation. The objectives of this study were to investigate a novel strategy of combining gcrR gene over-expression with dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM), and to determine their in vivo efficacy in reducing caries in rats for the first time. METHODS Two types of S. mutans were tested: Parent S. mutans; and gcrR gene over-expressed S. mutans (gcrR OE S. mutans). Bacterial minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were measured with DMAHDM and chlorhexidine (CHX). Biofilm biomass, polysaccharide, lactic acid production, live/dead staining, colony-forming units (CFUs), and metabolic activity (MTT) were evaluated. A Sprague-Dawley rat model was used with parent S. mutans and gcrR OE S. mutans colonization to determine caries-inhibition in vivo. RESULTS Drug-susceptibility of gcrR OE S. mutans to DMAHDM or CHX was 2-fold higher than that of parent S. mutans. DMAHDM reduced biofilm CFU by 3-4 logs. Importantly, the combined gcrR OE S. mutans+ DMAHDM dual strategy reduced biofilm CFU by 5 logs. In the rat model, the parent S. mutans group had a higher cariogenicity in dentinal (Dm) and extensive dentinal (Dx) regions. The DMAHDM + gcrR OE group reduced the Dm and Dx caries to only 20 % and 0 %, those of parent S. mutans + PBS control group (p < 0.05). The total caries severity of gcrR OE + DMAHDM group was decreased to 51 % that of parent S. mutans control (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE The strategy of combining S. mutans gcrR over-expression with antibacterial monomer reducing biofilm acids by 97 %, and reduced in vivo total caries in rats by 48 %. The gcrR over-expression + DMAHDM strategy is promising for a wide range of dental applications to inhibit caries and protect tooth structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Chen
- Department of Endodontics, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, 426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, PR China
| | - Mengmeng Xu
- Department of Endodontics, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, 426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, PR China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Shuang Yu
- Department of Endodontics, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, 426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, PR China
| | - Michael D Weir
- Department of Biomaterials and Regenerative Dental Medicine, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Mary Anne S Melo
- Division of Operative Dentistry, Department of General Dentistry, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Radi M Masri
- Department of Biomaterials and Regenerative Dental Medicine, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yunhao Tang
- Department of Biomaterials and Regenerative Dental Medicine, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Hockin H K Xu
- Department of Biomaterials and Regenerative Dental Medicine, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Deqin Yang
- Department of Endodontics, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing 404100, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, 426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, PR China.
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Ren S, Cheng Y, Deng Y, Xia M, Yang Y, Lei L, Hu T. Pudilan Keyanning mouthwash inhibits dextran-dependent aggregation and biofilm organization of Streptococcus mutans. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:lxad298. [PMID: 38086612 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
AIMS This research aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Pudilan mouthwash (PDL) on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilms and identify its chemical components. METHODS AND RESULTS The impacts of 100% concentrated PDL on S. mutans biofilm were detected by colony-forming unit (CFU) assays, crystal violet staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT‒PCR). The biocompatibility with human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) was evaluated by Cell-Counting-Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. And chemical components were identified by UPLC-HRMS. PBS and 0.12% chlorhexidine were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Results indicate early 8-h S. mutans biofilms are sensitive to PDL. Additionally, it leads to a decrease in bacterial activities and dextran-dependent aggregation in 24-h S. mutans biofilms. PDL significantly downregulates the gene expression of gtfB/C/D and smc. And 114 components are identified. CONCLUSIONS PDL has an inhibitory effect on S. mutans and favorable biocompatibility. It has potential to be exploited as a novel anti-biofilm agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirui Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus& Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiting Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus& Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yalan Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus& Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Mengying Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus& Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yingming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus& Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus& Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Tao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus& Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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Zheng T, Jing M, Gong T, Yan J, Wang X, Xu M, Zhou X, Zeng J, Li Y. Regulatory mechanisms of exopolysaccharide synthesis and biofilm formation in Streptococcus mutans. J Oral Microbiol 2023; 15:2225257. [PMID: 37346997 PMCID: PMC10281425 DOI: 10.1080/20002297.2023.2225257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dental caries is a chronic, multifactorial and biofilm-mediated oral bacterial infection affecting almost every age group and every geographical region. Streptococcus mutans is considered an important pathogen responsible for the initiation and development of dental caries. It produces exopolysaccharides in situ to promote the colonization of cariogenic bacteria and coordinate dental biofilm development. Objective The understanding of the regulatory mechanism of S. mutans biofilm formation can provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of caries. Design At present, an increasing number of studies have identified many regulatory systems in S. mutans that regulate biofilm formation, including second messengers (e.g. c-di-AMP, Ap4A), transcription factors (e.g. EpsR, RcrR, StsR, AhrC, FruR), two-component systems (e.g. CovR, VicR), small RNA (including sRNA0426, srn92532, and srn133489), acetylation modifications (e.g. ActG), CRISPR-associated proteins (e.g. Cas3), PTS systems (e.g. EIIAB), quorum-sensing signaling system (e.g. LuxS), enzymes (including Dex, YidC, CopZ, EzrA, lmrB, SprV, RecA, PdxR, MurI) and small-molecule metabolites. Results This review summarizes the recent progress in the molecular regulatory mechanisms of exopolysaccharides synthesis and biofilm formation in S. mutans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Meiling Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiangchuan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaowan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuedong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jumei Zeng
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Wu S, Qin B, Deng S, Liu Y, Zhang H, Lei L, Feng G. CodY is modulated by YycF and affects biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:967567. [PMID: 36304951 PMCID: PMC9593060 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.967567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the leading cause of various infective diseases, including topical soft tissue infections. The goals of this study were to investigate the roles of YycF and CodY in the regulation of biofilm formation and pathogenicity. Methods Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was conducted to validate the bound promoter regions of YycF protein. We constructed the codY up-regulated or down-regulated S. aureus mutants. The biofilm biomass was determined by crystal violet microtiter assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Quantitative RT-PCR analysis was used to detect the transcripts of biofilm-related genes. The live and dead cells of S. aureus biofilm were also investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). We constructed an abscess infection in Sprague Dawley (SD) rat models to determine the effect of CodY on bacterial pathogenicity. We further used the RAW264.7, which were cocultured with S. aureus, to evaluate the effect of CodY on macrophages apoptosis. Result Quantitative RT-PCR analyses reveled that YycF negatively regulates codY expression. EMSA assays indicated that YycF protein directly binds to the promoter regions of codY gene. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the construction of dual- mutant stains codY + ASyycF and codY-ASyycF. The SEM results showed that the biofilm formation in the codY + ASyycF group was sparser than those in the other groups. The crystal violet assays indicated that the codY + ASyycF group formed less biofilms, which was consistent with the immunofluorescence results of the lowest live cell ration in the codY + ASyycF group. The expression levels of biofilm-associated icaA gene were significantly reduced in the codY + strain, indicating codY negatively regulates the biofilm formation. Furthermore, CodY impedes the pathogenicity in a rat-infection model. After cocultured with bacteria or 4-h in vitro, the apoptosis rates of macrophage cells were lowest in the codY + group. Conclusions YycF negatively regulate the expression of codY. By interaction with codY, YycF could modulate S. aureus biofilm formation via both eDNA- dependent and PIA- dependent pathways, which can be a significant target for antibiofilm. CodY not only impedes the pathogenicity but also has a role on immunoregulation. Thus, the current evidence may provide a supplementary strategy for managing biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhou Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopaedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Boquan Qin
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopaedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shu Deng
- Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yunjie Liu
- West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopaedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Lei,
| | - Guoying Feng
- College of Electronics and Information Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Guoying Feng,
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Lu Y, Lei L, Deng Y, Zhang H, Xia M, Wei X, Yang Y, Hu T. RNase III coding genes modulate the cross-kingdom biofilm of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:957879. [PMID: 36246231 PMCID: PMC9563999 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.957879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans constantly coexists with Candida albicans in plaque biofilms of early childhood caries (ECC). The progression of ECC can be influenced by the interactions between S. mutans and C. albicans through exopolysaccharides (EPS). Our previous studies have shown that rnc, the gene encoding ribonuclease III (RNase III), is implicated in the cariogenicity of S. mutans by regulating EPS metabolism. The DCR1 gene in C. albicans encodes the sole functional RNase III and is capable of producing non-coding RNAs. However, whether rnc or DCR1 can regulate the structure or cariogenic virulence of the cross-kingdom biofilm of S. mutans and C. albicans is not yet well understood. By using gene disruption or overexpression assays, this study aims to investigate the roles of rnc and DCR1 in modulating the biological characteristics of dual-species biofilms of S. mutans and C. albicans and to reveal the molecular mechanism of regulation. The morphology, biomass, EPS content, and lactic acid production of the dual-species biofilm were assessed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and transcriptomic profiling were performed to unravel the alteration of C. albicans virulence. We found that both rnc and DCR1 could regulate the biological traits of cross-kingdom biofilms. The rnc gene prominently contributed to the formation of dual-species biofilms by positively modulating the extracellular polysaccharide synthesis, leading to increased biomass, biofilm roughness, and acid production. Changes in the microecological system probably impacted the virulence as well as polysaccharide or pyruvate metabolism pathways of C. albicans, which facilitated the assembly of a cariogenic cross-kingdom biofilm and the generation of an augmented acidic milieu. These results may provide an avenue for exploring new targets for the effective prevention and treatment of ECC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Preventive Dentistry, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Preventive Dentistry, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yalan Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Preventive Dentistry, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Preventive Dentistry, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengying Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Preventive Dentistry, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xi Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Preventive Dentistry, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Yingming Yang,
| | - Tao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Preventive Dentistry, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Tao Hu,
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