Quorum sensing systems as a new target to prevent biofilm-related oral diseases

Quorum-quenching enzyme Est816 assisted antibiotics against periodontitis induced by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in rats

Introduction

Quorum-quenching enzyme Est816 hydrolyzes the lactone rings of N-acyl homoserine lactones, effectively blocking the biofilm formation and development of Gram-negative bacteria. However, its applications in the oral field is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of enzyme Est816 in combination with antibiotics against periodontitis induced by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The antimicrobial efficacy of enzyme Est816 in combination with minocycline, metronidazole, and amoxicillin was determined using the minimum inhibitory concentration test. The anti-biofilm effect of enzyme Est816 was assessed using scanning electron microscopy, live/dead bacterial staining, crystal violet staining, and real-time quantitative PCR. Biocompatibility of enzyme Est816 was assessed in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) by staining. A rat model of periodontitis was established to evaluate the effect of enzyme Est816 combined with minocycline using micro-computed tomography and histological staining.

Results

Compared to minocycline, metronidazole, and amoxicillin treatment alone, simultaneous treatment with enzyme Est816 increased the sensitivity of biofilm bacteria to antibiotics. Enzyme Est816 with minocycline exhibited the highest rate of biofilm clearance and high biocompatibility. Moreover, the combination of enzyme Est816 with antibiotics improved the antibiofilm effects of the antibiotics synergistically, reducing the expression of the virulence factor leukotoxin gene (ltxA) and fimbria-associated gene (rcpA). Likewise, the combination of enzyme Est816 with minocycline exhibited a remarkable inhibitory effect on bone resorption and inflammation damage in a rat model of periodontitis.

Discussion

The combination of enzyme Est816 with antibiotics represents a prospective anti-biofilm strategy with the potential to treat periodontitis.

Tailor-made molecular imprints for biological event intervention

Molecular imprints, which are crosslinked architectures containing specific molecular recognition cavities for targeting compounds, have recently transitioned from in vitro diagnosis to in vivo treatment. In current application scenarios, it has become an important topic to create new biomolecular recognition pathways through molecular imprinting, thereby inhibiting the pathogenesis and regulating the development of diseases. This review starts with a pathological analysis, mainly focusing on the corresponding artificial enzymes, enzyme inhibitors and antibody mimics with enhanced functions that are created by molecular imprinting strategies. Recent advances are highlighted in the use of molecular imprints as tailor-made nanomedicines for the prevention of three major diseases: metabolic syndrome, cancer, and bacterial/viral infections.

N-acyl homoserine lactone signaling modulates bacterial community associated with human dental plaque

N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) are small diffusible signaling molecules that mediate a cell density-dependent bacterial communication system known as quorum sensing (QS). AHL-mediated QS regulates gene expression to control many critical bacterial behaviors including biofilm formation, pathogenicity, and antimicrobial resistance. Dental plaque is a complex multispecies oral biofilm formed by successive colonization of the tooth surface by groups of commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic bacteria, which can contribute to tooth decay and periodontal diseases. While the existence and roles of AHL-mediated QS in oral microbiota have been debated, recent evidence indicates that AHLs play significant roles in oral biofilm development and community dysbiosis. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain poorly characterized. To better understand the importance of AHL signaling in dental plaque formation, we manipulated AHL signaling by adding AHL lactonases or exogenous AHL signaling molecules. We find that AHLs can be detected in dental plaque grown under 5% CO2 conditions, but not when grown under anaerobic conditions, and yet anaerobic cultures are still responsive to AHLs. QS signal disruption using lactonases leads to changes in microbial population structures in both planktonic and biofilm states, changes that are dependent on the substrate preference of the used lactonase but mainly result in the increase in the abundance of commensal and pioneer colonizer species. Remarkably, the opposite manipulation, that is the addition of exogenous AHLs increases the abundance of late colonizer bacterial species. Hence, this work highlights the importance of AHL-mediated QS in dental plaque communities, its potential different roles in anaerobic and aerobic parts of dental plaque, and underscores the potential of QS interference in the control of periodontal diseases.

Metal-Phenolic Network with Pd Nanoparticle Nodes Synergizes Oxidase-Like and Photothermal Properties to Eradicate Oral Polymicrobial Biofilm-Associated Infections

Designing an effective treatment strategy to combat oral diseases caused by complex polymicrobial biofilms remains a great challenge. Herein, a series of metal-phenolic network with Pd nanoparticle nodes using polyphenols as stabilizers and reducing agents is constructed. Among them, sulfonated lignin-Pd (SLS-Pd) with ultrafine size palladium nanoparticles and broadband near infrared absorption exhibit excellent oxidase-like activity and stable photothermal effect. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the superoxide radical generated by SLS-Pd oxidase-like activity exhibits selective antibacterial effects, while its photothermal effect induced hyperthermia exhibits potent antifungal properties. This difference is further elucidated by RNA-sequencing analysis and all-atom simulation. Moreover, the SLS-Pd-mediated synergistic antimicrobial system exhibits remarkable efficacy in combating various biofilms and polymicrobial biofilms. By establishing a root canal model and an oropharyngeal candidiasis model, the feasibility of the synergistic antimicrobial system in treating oral biofilm-related infections is further validated. This system provides a promising therapeutic approach for polymicrobial biofilm-associated infections in the oral cavity.

Differences of protein expression in enterococcus faecalis biofilm during resistance to environmental pressures

BACKGROUND

Enterococcus faecalis biofilm was frequently found on the failed treated root canal wall, which survived by resisting disinfectant during endodontic treatment.Many researches have been conducted to explore the mechanisms of persistence of this pathogen in unfavorable conditions. However, no comprehensive proteomics studies have been conducted to investigate stress response in Enterococcus faecalis caused by alkali and NaOCl.

OBJECTIVE

Enterococcus faecalis (E.f) has been recognized as a main pathogen of refractory apical periodontitis, its ability to withstand environmental pressure is the key to grow in the environment of high alkaline and anti-bacterial drug that causes chronic infection in the root canal. This study aims to focus on the protein expression patterns of E.f biofilm under extreme pressure environment".

METHODS

Enterococcus faecalis biofilm model was established in vitro. Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS)-based label free quantitative proteomics approach was applied to compare differential protein expression under different environmental pressures (pH 10 and 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)). And then qPCR and Parallel Reaction Monitoring Verification (PRM) were utilized to verify the consequence of proteomics.

RESULTS

The number of taxa in this study was higher than those in previous studies, demonstrating the presence of a remarkable number of proteins in the groups of high alkaline and NaOCl. Proteins involved in ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter were significantly enriched in experimental samples. We identified a total of 15 highly expressed ABC transporters in the high alkaline environment pressure group, with 7 proteins greater than 1.5 times.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed considerable changes in expression of proteins in E.f biofilm during resistance to environmental pressures. The findings enriched our understanding of association between the differential expression proteins and environmental pressures.

Annual review of selected scientific literature: A report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

The Scientific Investigation Committee of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry offers this review of the 2022 dental literature to briefly touch on several topics of interest to modern restorative dentistry. Each committee member brings discipline-specific expertise in their subject areas that include (in order of the appearance in this report): prosthodontics; periodontics, alveolar bone, and peri-implant tissues; dental materials and therapeutics; occlusion and temporomandibular disorders; sleep-related breathing disorders; oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery; and dental caries and cariology. The authors focused their efforts on reporting information likely to influence the daily dental treatment decisions of the reader with an emphasis on innovations, new materials and processes, and future trends in dentistry. With the tremendous volume of literature published daily in dentistry and related disciplines, this review cannot be comprehensive. Instead, its purpose is to update interested readers and provide valuable resource material for those willing to subsequently pursue greater detail on their own. Our intent remains to assist colleagues in navigating the tremendous volume of newly minted information produced annually. Finally, we hope that readers find this work helpful in managing patients.

Silver-based gels for oral and skin infections: antimicrobial effect and physicochemical stability

Aim: To systematically evaluate the literature on silver (Ag) gels and their antimicrobial efficacy and physicochemical stability. Materials & methods: A search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar. Results: Gels were formulated with Ag nanoparticles, Ag oxynitrate and colloidal Ag and showed antimicrobial activity for concentrations ranging from 0.002 to 30%. Gels showed stability of their chemical components, and their physicochemical properties, including viscosity, organoleptic characteristics, homogeneity, pH and spreadability, were suitable for topical application. Conclusion: Ag-based gels show antimicrobial action proportional to concentration, with higher action against Gram-negative bacteria and physicochemical stability for oral and skin infection applications.

Light-Based Anti-Biofilm and Antibacterial Strategies

Biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance pose significant challenges not only in clinical settings (i.e., implant-associated infections, endocarditis, and urinary tract infections) but also in industrial settings and in the environment, where the spreading of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is on the rise. Indeed, developing effective strategies to prevent biofilm formation and treat infections will be one of the major global challenges in the next few years. As traditional pharmacological treatments are becoming inadequate to curb this problem, a constant commitment to the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies is necessary. Light-triggered therapies have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional approaches due to their non-invasive nature, precise spatial and temporal control, and potential multifunctional properties. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the different biofilm formation stages and the molecular mechanism of biofilm disruption, with a major focus on the quorum sensing machinery. Moreover, we highlight the principal guidelines for the development of light-responsive materials and photosensitive compounds. The synergistic effects of combining light-triggered therapies with conventional treatments are also discussed. Through elegant molecular and material design solutions, remarkable results have been achieved in the fight against biofilm formation and antibacterial resistance. However, further research and development in this field are essential to optimize therapeutic strategies and translate them into clinical and industrial applications, ultimately addressing the global challenges posed by biofilm and antimicrobial resistance.

Understanding bacterial biofilms: From definition to treatment strategies

Bacterial biofilms are complex microbial communities encased in extracellular polymeric substances. Their formation is a multi-step process. Biofilms are a significant problem in treating bacterial infections and are one of the main reasons for the persistence of infections. They can exhibit increased resistance to classical antibiotics and cause disease through device-related and non-device (tissue) -associated infections, posing a severe threat to global health issues. Therefore, early detection and search for new and alternative treatments are essential for treating and suppressing biofilm-associated infections. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the formation of bacterial biofilms, associated infections, detection methods, and potential treatment strategies, aiming to provide researchers with the latest progress in the detection and treatment of bacterial biofilms.

The quorum quenching enzyme Aii20J modifies in vitro periodontal biofilm formation

Introduction

Recent studies have revealed the presence of N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) quorum sensing (QS) signals in the oral environment. Yet, their role in oral biofilm development remains scarcely investigated. The use of quorum quenching (QQ) strategies targeting AHLs has been described as efficient for the control of pathogenic biofilms. Here, we evaluate the use of a highly active AHL-targeting QQ enzyme, Aii20J, to modulate oral biofilm formation in vitro.

Methods

The effect of the QQ enzyme was studied in in vitro multispecies biofilms generated from oral samples taken from healthy donors and patients with periodontal disease. Subgingival samples were used as inocula, aiming to select members of the microbiota of the periodontal pocket niche in the in vitro biofilms. Biofilm formation abilities and microbial composition were studied upon treating the biofilms with the QQ enzyme Aii20J.

Results and Discussion

The addition of the enzyme resulted in significant biofilm mass reductions in 30 - 60% of the subgingival-derived biofilms, although standard AHLs could not be found in the supernatants of the cultured biofilms. Changes in biofilm mass were not accompanied by significant alterations of bacterial relative abundance at the genus level. The investigation of 125 oral supragingival metagenomes and a synthetic subgingival metagenome revealed a surprisingly high abundance and broad distribution of homologous of the AHL synthase HdtS and several protein families of AHL receptors, as well as an enormous presence of QQ enzymes, pointing to the existence of an intricate signaling network in oral biofilms that has been so far unreported, and should be further investigated. Together, our findings support the use of Aii20J to modulate polymicrobial biofilm formation without changing the microbiome structure of the biofilm. Results in this study suggest that AHLs or AHL-like molecules affect oral biofilm formation, encouraging the application of QQ strategies for oral health improvement, and reinforcing the importance of personalized approaches to oral biofilm control.

Drugs for the Quorum Sensing Inhibition of Oral Biofilm: New Frontiers and Insights in the Treatment of Periodontitis

Chemical molecules are used by microorganisms to communicate with each other. Quorum sensing is the mechanism through which microorganisms regulate their population density and activity with chemical signaling. The inhibition of quorum sensing, called quorum quenching, may disrupt oral biofilm formation, which is the main etiological factor of oral diseases, including periodontitis. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of infectious etiology involving the hard and soft periodontal tissues and which is related to various systemic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity. The employment of adjuvant therapies to traditional scaling and root planing is currently being studied to further reduce the impact of periodontitis. In this sense, using antibiotics and antiseptics involves non-negligible risks, such as antibiotic resistance phenomena and hinders the re-establishment of eubiosis. Different quorum sensing signal molecules have been identified in periodontal pathogenic oral bacteria. In this regard, quorum sensing inhibitors are emerging as some interesting solutions for the management of periodontitis. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the mechanisms of quorum sensing signal molecules produced by oral biofilm and to analyze the potential of quorum sensing inhibitors for the management of periodontitis.

The Oral Microbiome Impacts the Link between Sugar Consumption and Caries: A Preliminary Study

Background: The excessive and frequent intake of refined sugar leads to caries. However, the relationship between the amount of sugar intake and the risk of caries is not always consistent. Oral microbial profile and function may impact the link between them. This study aims to identify the plaque microbiota characteristics of caries subjects with low (CL) and high (CH) sugar consumption, and of caries-free subjects with low (FL) and high sugar (FH) consumption. Methods: A total of 40 adolescents were enrolled in the study, and supragingival plaque samples were collected and subjected to metagenomic analyses. The caries status, sugar consumption, and oral-health behaviors of the subjects were recorded. Results: The results indicate that the CL group showed a higher abundance of several cariogenic microorganisms Lactobacillus, A. gerencseriae, A. dentails, S. mutans, C. albicans, S. wiggsiae and P. acidifaciens. C. gingivalis, and P. gingivalis, which were enriched in the FH group. In terms of gene function, the phosphotransferase sugar uptake system, phosphotransferase system, and several two-component responses–regulator pairs were enriched in the CL group. Conclusion: Overall, our data suggest the existence of an increased cariogenic microbial community and sugar catabolism potential in the CL group, and a healthy microbial community in the FH group, which had self-stabilizing functional potential.

Strategies to Combat Caries by Maintaining the Integrity of Biofilm and Homeostasis during the Rapid Phase of Supragingival Plaque Formation

Bacteria in the oral cavity, including commensals and opportunistic pathogens, are organized into highly specialized sessile communities, coexisting in homeostasis with the host under healthy conditions. A dysbiotic environment during biofilm evolution, however, allows opportunistic pathogens to become the dominant species at caries-affected sites at the expense of health-associated taxa. Combining tooth brushing with dentifrices or rinses combat the onset of caries by partially removes plaque, but resulting in the biofilm remaining in an immature state with undesirables’ consequences on homeostasis and oral ecosystem. This leads to the need for therapeutic pathways that focus on preserving balance in the oral microbiota and applying strategies to combat caries by maintaining biofilm integrity and homeostasis during the rapid phase of supragingival plaque formation. Adhesion, nutrition, and communication are fundamental in this phase in which the bacteria that have survived these adverse conditions rebuild and reorganize the biofilm, and are considered targets for designing preventive strategies to guide the biofilm towards a composition compatible with health. The present review summarizes the most important advances and future prospects for therapies based on the maintenance of biofilm integrity and homeostasis as a preventive measure of dysbiosis focused on these three key factors during the rapid phase of plaque formation.

The Oral Microbiota: Community Composition, Influencing Factors, Pathogenesis, and Interventions

The human oral cavity provides a habitat for oral microbial communities. The complexity of its anatomical structure, its connectivity to the outside, and its moist environment contribute to the complexity and ecological site specificity of the microbiome colonized therein. Complex endogenous and exogenous factors affect the occurrence and development of the oral microbiota, and maintain it in a dynamic balance. The dysbiotic state, in which the microbial composition is altered and the microecological balance between host and microorganisms is disturbed, can lead to oral and even systemic diseases. In this review, we discuss the current research on the composition of the oral microbiota, the factors influencing it, and its relationships with common oral diseases. We focus on the specificity of the microbiota at different niches in the oral cavity, the communities of the oral microbiome, the mycobiome, and the virome within oral biofilms, and interventions targeting oral pathogens associated with disease. With these data, we aim to extend our understanding of oral microorganisms and provide new ideas for the clinical management of infectious oral diseases.

A Literature Review and Framework Proposal for Halitosis Assessment in Cigarette Smokers and Alternative Nicotine-Delivery Products Users

Halitosis is a health condition which counts cigarette smoking (CS) among its major risk factors. Cigarette smoke can cause an imbalance in the oral bacterial community, leading to several oral diseases and conditions, including intraoral halitosis. Although the best approach to decrease smoking-related health risks is quitting smoking, this is not feasible for many smokers. Switching to potentially reduced-risk products, like electronic vapor products (EVP) or heated tobacco products (HTP), may help improve the conditions associated with CS. To date, there have been few systematic studies on the effects of CS on halitosis and none have assessed the effects of EVP and HTP use. Self-assessment studies have shown large limitations owing to the lack of reliability in the participants' judgment. This has compelled the scientific community to develop a strategy for meaningful assessment of these new products in comparison with cigarettes. Here, we compiled a review of the existing literature on CS and halitosis and propose a 3-layer approach that combines the use of the most advanced breath analysis techniques and multi-omics analysis to define the interactions between oral bacterial species and their role in halitosis both in vitro and in vivo. Such an approach will allow us to compare the effects of different nicotine-delivery products on oral bacteria and quantify their impact on halitosis. Defining the impact of alternative nicotine-delivery products on intraoral halitosis and its associated bacteria will help the scientific community advance a step further toward understanding the safety of these products and their potentiall risks for consumers.

Annual review of selected scientific literature: A report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

The Scientific Investigation Committee of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry offers this review of the 2020 professional literature in restorative dentistry to inform busy dentists regarding noteworthy scientific and clinical progress over the past year. Each member of the committee brings discipline-specific expertise to this work to cover this broad topic. Specific subject areas addressed include prosthodontics; periodontics, alveolar bone, and peri-implant tissues; implant dentistry; dental materials and therapeutics; occlusion and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs); sleep-related breathing disorders; oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery; and dental caries and cariology. The authors focused their efforts on reporting information likely to influence day-to-day dental treatment decisions with a keen eye on future trends in the profession. With the tremendous volume of dentistry and related literature being published today, this review cannot possibly be comprehensive. The purpose is to update interested readers and provide important resource material for those interested in pursuing greater detail. It remains our intent to assist colleagues in navigating the extensive volume of important information being published annually. It is our hope that readers find this work useful in successfully managing the dental patients they encounter.

Periodontitis and Systemic Disorder-An Overview of Relation and Novel Treatment Modalities

Periodontitis, a major oral disease, affects a vast majority of the population but has been often ignored without realizing its long-fetched effects on overall human health. A realization in recent years of its association with severe diseases such as carditis, low birth weight babies, and preeclampsia has instigated dedicated research in this area. In the arena of periodontal medicines, the studies of past decades suggest a link between human periodontal afflictions and certain systemic disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorders, preterm birth, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Although, the disease appears as a locoregional infection, the periodontal pathogens, in addition their metabolic products and systemic mediators, receive access to the bloodstream, thereby contributing to the development of systemic disorders. Mechanism-based insights into the disease pathogenesis and association are highly relevant and shall be useful in avoiding any systemic complications. This review presents an update of the mechanisms and relationships between chronic periodontal infection and systemic disorders. Attention is also given to highlighting the incidence in support of this relationship. In addition, an attempt is made to propose the various periodonto-therapeutic tools to apprise the readers about the availability of appropriate treatment for the disease at the earliest stage without allowing it to progress and cause systemic adverse effects.

What do we know about the mechanisms of action of probiotics on factors involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis? A scoping review of in vitro studies

OBJECTIVE

Probiotics are increasingly used in oral prevention and treatment conditions, but little is known about their abilities. The aim of this review is to clarify, summarize and disseminate current knowledge about the mode of action of in vitro probiotics on factors involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

METHOD

2495 articles were identified in three databases (Medline, Web of Science, SpringerLink) and 26 studies included in this scoping review.

RESULTS

Twenty-three probiotic species were identified, the majority of which were Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria. Lactobacillus rhamnosus (30.8 %) and Lactobacillus reuteri (42.3 %) were found to be the two predominantly studied probiotic species and three main mechanisms of action of probiotics could be classified as: (i) modulation of the immuno-inflammatory response, (ii) direct actions of probiotics on periodontopathogens by adhesion or nutritive competitions and/or the secretion of antimicrobial molecules and (iii) indirect actions through environmental modifications. A combination of several probiotic strains seems to be beneficial via synergistic action amplifying the functions of each strain used. However, heterogeneity of the methodologies and probiotic species included in studies leads us to consider the following avenues for future research: (i) implementation of standardized periodontal models as close as possible to in vivo periodontal conditions to identify the functions of each strain for appropriate medication, (ii) updating data about interactions within oral biofilms to identify new candidates and to predict then analyze their behavior within these biofilms.

CONCLUSION

Probiotics may have their place in the response to inter-individual variability in periodontitis, provided that the choice of the probiotic strain or combination of them will be personalized and optimal for each patient.