1
|
Miao X, Yang W, Wang S, Tang J, Luo X, Chen T. Lung abscess caused by the anaerobic pathogen Tannerella forsythia. Respirol Case Rep 2024; 12:e01391. [PMID: 38831800 PMCID: PMC11147646 DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.1391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Odontogenic infections can spread to the respiratory tract. Despite the known role of Tannerella forsythia as the primary pathogen in periodontitis, the association between T. forsythia infection and risk of pneumonia or lung abscess remains unknown. In this report, we present a case of lung abscess caused by T. forsythia infection. The pathogen was detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the patient. The clinical characteristics and possible mechanisms of the infection are discussed. T. forsythia is a conditional pathogen that can cause lung abscess in the presence of helper bacteria and reduced host immune status. The course of treatment should be personalized and might be longer than 3 months.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- XiaYi Miao
- Department of Respiratory MedicinePutuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Respiratory MedicinePutuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Shiqiang Wang
- Department of Respiratory MedicinePutuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jihong Tang
- Department of Respiratory MedicinePutuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - XuMing Luo
- Department of Respiratory MedicinePutuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Teng Chen
- Department of Respiratory MedicinePutuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schäffer C, Andrukhov O. The intriguing strategies of Tannerella forsythia's host interaction. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2024; 5:1434217. [PMID: 38872984 PMCID: PMC11169705 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2024.1434217] [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: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia, a member of the "red complex" bacteria implicated in severe periodontitis, employs various survival strategies and virulence factors to interact with the host. It thrives as a late colonizer in the oral biofilm, relying on its unique adaptation mechanisms for persistence. Essential to its survival are the type 9 protein secretion system and O-glycosylation of proteins, crucial for host interaction and immune evasion. Virulence factors of T. forsythia, including sialidase and proteases, facilitate its pathogenicity by degrading host glycoproteins and proteins, respectively. Moreover, cell surface glycoproteins like the S-layer and BspA modulate host responses and bacterial adherence, influencing colonization and tissue invasion. Outer membrane vesicles and lipopolysaccharides further induce inflammatory responses, contributing to periodontal tissue destruction. Interactions with specific host cell types, including epithelial cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes macrophages, and mesenchymal stromal cells, highlight the multifaceted nature of T. forsythia's pathogenicity. Notably, it can invade epithelial cells and impair PMN function, promoting dysregulated inflammation and bacterial survival. Comparative studies with periodontitis-associated Porphyromonas gingivalis reveal differences in protease activity and immune modulation, suggesting distinct roles in disease progression. T. forsythia's potential to influence oral antimicrobial defense through protease-mediated degradation and interactions with other bacteria underscores its significance in periodontal disease pathogenesis. However, understanding T. forsythia's precise role in host-microbiome interactions and its classification as a keystone pathogen requires further investigation. Challenges in translating research data stem from the complexity of the oral microbiome and biofilm dynamics, necessitating comprehensive studies to elucidate its clinical relevance and therapeutic implications in periodontitis management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Schäffer
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, NanoGlycobiology Research Group, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oleh Andrukhov
- Competence Center for Periodontal Research, University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li P, Zhang Y, Chen D, Lin H. Investigation of a novel biofilm model close to the original oral microbiome. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:330. [PMID: 38730049 PMCID: PMC11087337 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13149-8] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
A more optimized culture medium used in vitro to mimic the bacterial composition of original oral flora as similar as possible remains difficult at present, and the goal of this study is to develop a novel oral biofilm medium to restore the original oral microbiome. Firstly, we conducted a systematic literature review by searching PubMed and summarized the current reported culture media in vitro. Seven culture media were found. We used mixed saliva as the origin of oral species to compare the effects of the above media in culturing oral multispecies biofilms. Results indicated that among the seven media brain heart infusion containing 1% sucrose (BHIs) medium, PG medium, artificial saliva (AS) medium, and SHI medium could obviously gain large oral biofilm in vitro. The nutrients contained in different culture media may be suitable for the growth of different oral bacteria; therefore, we optimized several novel media accordingly. Notably, results of crystal violet staining showed that the biofilm cultured in our modified artificial saliva (MAS) medium had the highest amount of biofilm biomass. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and Shannon index of biofilm cultured in MAS medium were also the highest among all the tested media. More importantly, the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis indicated that the biofilm cultured in MAS medium was closer to the original saliva species. Besides, biofilm cultured by MAS was denser and produced more exopolysaccharides. MAS supported stable biofilm formation on different substrata. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a novel MAS medium that could culture oral biofilm in vitro closer to the original oral microbiome, showing a good application prospect. KEY POINTS: • We compare the effects of different media in culturing oral biofilms • A novel modified artificial saliva (MAS) medium was obtained in our study • The MAS medium could culture biofilm that was closer to oral microbiome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengpeng Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuwen Zhang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dongru Chen
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Huancai Lin
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shaikh HFM, Oswal PU, Kugaji MS, Katti SS, Bhat KG, Kandaswamy E, Joshi VM. Association of F. alocis and D. pneumosintes with Periodontitis Disease Severity and Red Complex Bacteria. Dent J (Basel) 2024; 12:105. [PMID: 38668017 PMCID: PMC11048763 DOI: 10.3390/dj12040105] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral biofilms are considered the principal etiological agent in the development of periodontitis. Novel species that may contribute to periodontitis and dysbiosis have been identified recently. The study aims to evaluate the presence of F. alocis and D. pneumosintes in healthy and diseased patients and their association with clinical parameters and with red complex bacteria. The study included 60 subjects, with 30 patients each in the healthy and periodontitis groups. The clinical parameters were noted, and samples were subjected to DNA extraction followed by a polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis was performed using the Graph Pad Prism software. Results: F. alocis and D. pneumosintes were detected at a significantly higher percentage in the periodontitis group compared to the healthy group (p < 0.05). D. pneumosintes was significantly associated with T. forsythia in the periodontitis group (p < 0.05). Both of these organisms were present in sites with higher clinical attachment loss (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that both F. alocis and D. pneumosintes were detected at a significantly higher percentage in periodontitis subjects and were detected more frequently in sites with a greater clinical attachment loss. It was also evident that both F. alocis and D. pneumosintes can be present independently of other putative periodontal pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hawaabi F. M. Shaikh
- Department of Periodontology, Maratha Mandal’s Nathajirao G. Halgekar Institute of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Belagavi 590019, India; (H.F.M.S.); (P.U.O.); (S.S.K.)
| | - Pratima U. Oswal
- Department of Periodontology, Maratha Mandal’s Nathajirao G. Halgekar Institute of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Belagavi 590019, India; (H.F.M.S.); (P.U.O.); (S.S.K.)
| | - Manohar Suresh Kugaji
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research, BLDE Deemed to be University, Vijayapura 586103, India
| | - Sandeep S. Katti
- Department of Periodontology, Maratha Mandal’s Nathajirao G. Halgekar Institute of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Belagavi 590019, India; (H.F.M.S.); (P.U.O.); (S.S.K.)
| | | | - Eswar Kandaswamy
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA;
| | - Vinayak M. Joshi
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lv H, Zhuang Y, Wu W. Lung Abscess Caused by Tannerella forsythia Infection: A Case Report. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:6975-6981. [PMID: 37928606 PMCID: PMC10625316 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s434494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tannerella forsythia is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium commonly found in the oral cavity. It is among the common pathogenic bacteria associated with gingivitis, chronic periodontitis, and aggressive periodontitis. However, there is currently no literature discussing lung abscesses primarily caused by T. forsythia infection. Presentation This article presents the case of a 55-year-old male with a massive lung abscess. The patient underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage, and the sample was sent for pathogen metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) testing. The test indicated that the lung abscess was primarily caused by T. forsythia infection. A literature review was conducted to understand the characteristics of this pathogen as well as its clinical features and suitable treatment approaches. Conclusion Currently, there is no literature specifically mentioning T. forsythia as a primary pathogen causing lung abscesses. This anaerobic bacterium is commonly found in the oral cavity and is difficult to cultivate using routine culture methods. mNGS emerges as a value diagnostic method for identifying this pathogen. Treatment recommendations include drainage and antibiotic selection encompassing common periodontal pathogens such as red complex bacteria and Actinomyces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Lv
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yawen Zhuang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weijing Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Stasiak AC, Gogler K, Borisova M, Fink P, Mayer C, Stehle T, Zocher G. N-acetylmuramic acid recognition by MurK kinase from the MurNAc auxotrophic oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105076. [PMID: 37481208 PMCID: PMC10465942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial cell wall consists of a three-dimensional peptidoglycan layer, composed of peptides linked to the sugars N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) and GlcNAc. Unlike other bacteria, the pathogenic Tannerella forsythia, a member of the red complex group of bacteria associated with the late stages of periodontitis, lacks biosynthetic pathways for MurNAc production and therefore obtains MurNAc from the environment. Sugar kinases play a crucial role in the MurNAc recycling process, activating the sugar molecules by phosphorylation. In this study, we present the first crystal structures of a MurNAc kinase, called murein sugar kinase (MurK), in its unbound state as well as in complexes with the ATP analog β-γ-methylene adenosine triphosphate (AMP-PCP) and with MurNAc. We also determined the crystal structures of K1058, a paralogous MurNAc kinase of T. forsythia, in its unbound state and in complex with MurNAc. We identified the active site and residues crucial for MurNAc specificity as the less bulky side chains of S133, P134, and L135, which enlarge the binding cavity for the lactyl ether group, unlike the glutamate or histidine residues present in structural homologs. In establishing the apparent kinetic parameters for both enzymes, we showed a comparable affinity for MurNAc (Km 180 μM and 30 μM for MurK and K1058, respectively), with MurK being over two hundred times faster than K1058 (Vmax 80 and 0.34 μmol min-1 mg-1, respectively). These data might support a structure-guided approach to development of inhibitory MurNAc analogs for pathogen MurK enzymes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karolin Gogler
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Marina Borisova
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Phillipp Fink
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Thilo Stehle
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Georg Zocher
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wodzanowski KA, Hyland SN, Chinthamani S, Sandles LMD, Honma K, Sharma A, Grimes CL. Investigating Peptidoglycan Recycling Pathways in Tannerella forsythia with N-Acetylmuramic Acid Bioorthogonal Probes. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1831-1838. [PMID: 35924866 PMCID: PMC9464701 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00333] [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] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The human oral microbiome is the second largest microbial community in humans, harboring over 700 bacterial species, which aid in digestion and protect from growth of disease-causing pathogens. One such oral pathogen, Tannerella forsythia, along with other species, contributes to the pathogenesis of periodontitis. T. forsythia is unable to produce its own N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) sugar, essential for peptidoglycan biosynthesis and therefore must scavenge NAM from other species with which it cohabitates. Here, we explore the recycling potential of T. forsythia for NAM uptake with a bioorthogonal modification into its peptidoglycan, allowing for click-chemistry-based visualization of the cell wall structure. Additionally, we identified NAM recycling enzyme homologues in T. forsythia that are similar to the enzymes found in Pseudomonas putida. These homologues were then genetically transformed into a laboratory safe Escherichia coli strain, resulting in the efficient incorporation of unnatural NAM analogues into the peptidoglycan backbone and its visualization, alone or in the presence of human macrophages. This strain will be useful in further studies to probe NAM recycling and peptidoglycan scavenging pathways of T. forsythia and other cohabiting bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen N. Hyland
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
| | - Sreedevi Chinthamani
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, 14214
| | | | - Kiyonobu Honma
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, 14214
| | - Ashu Sharma
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, 14214
| | - Catherine L. Grimes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
NamZ1 and NamZ2 from the oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia are peptidoglycan processing exo-β- N-acetylmuramidases with distinct substrate specificity. J Bacteriol 2022; 204:e0059721. [PMID: 35129368 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00597-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative periodontal pathogen Tannerella forsythia is inherently auxotrophic for N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc), which is an essential carbohydrate constituent of the peptidoglycan (PGN) of the bacterial cell wall. Thus, to build up its cell wall, T. forsythia strictly depends on the salvage of exogenous MurNAc or sources of MurNAc, such as polymeric or fragmentary PGN, derived from cohabiting bacteria within the oral microbiome. In our effort to elucidate how T. forsythia satisfies its demand for MurNAc, we recognized that the organism possesses three putative orthologs of the exo-β-N-acetylmuramidase BsNamZ from Bacillus subtilis, which cleaves non-reducing end, terminal MurNAc entities from the artificial substrate pNP-MurNAc and the naturally-occurring disaccharide substrate MurNAc-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). TfNamZ1 and TfNamZ2 were successfully purified as soluble, pure recombinant His6-fusions and characterized as exo-lytic β-N-acetylmuramidases with distinct substrate specificities. The activity of TfNamZ1 was considerably lower compared to TfNamZ2 and BsNamZ, in the cleavage of MurNAc-GlcNAc. When peptide-free PGN glycans were used as substrates, we revealed striking differences in the specificity and mode of action of these enzymes, as analyzed by mass spectrometry. TfNamZ1, but not TfNamZ2 or BsNamZ, released GlcNAc-MurNAc disaccharides from these glycans. In addition, glucosamine (GlcN)-MurNAc disaccharides were generated when partially N-deacetylated PGN glycans from B. subtilis 168 were applied. This characterizes TfNamZ1 as a unique disaccharide-forming exo-lytic β-N-acetylmuramidase (exo-disaccharidase), and, TfNamZ2 and BsNamZ as sole MurNAc monosaccharide-lytic exo-β-N-acetylmuramidases. IMPORTANCE Two exo-N-acetylmuramidases from T. forsythia belonging to glycosidase family GH171 (www.cazy.org) were shown to differ in their activities, thus revealing a functional diversity within this family: NamZ1 releases disaccharides (GlcNAc-MurNAc/GlcN-MurNAc) from the non-reducing ends of PGN glycans, whereas NamZ2 releases terminal MurNAc monosaccharides. This work provides a better understanding of how T. forsythia may acquire the essential growth factor MurNAc by the salvage of PGN from cohabiting bacteria in the oral microbiome, which may pave avenues for the development of anti-periodontal drugs. On a broad scale, our study indicates that the utilization of PGN as a nutrient source, involving exo-lytic N-acetylmuramidases with different modes of action, appears to be a general feature of bacteria, particularly among the phylum Bacteroidetes.
Collapse
|
9
|
Montevecchi M, Valeriani L, Gatto MR, D'Alessandro G, Piana G. Subgingival pathogens in chronic periodontitis patients affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective case-control study. J Periodontal Implant Sci 2021; 51:409-421. [PMID: 34965620 PMCID: PMC8718332 DOI: 10.5051/jpis.2100180009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and bacterial load of 6 main periodontal pathogens between pairs of periodontal patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans genotypes were also investigated. Methods Twenty patients affected by chronic periodontitis and type 2 diabetes were retrospectively selected and matched to 20 patients without diabetes on the basis of the degree and severity of periodontal disease. Microbiological data of subgingival biofilms were analysed and compared for the examined pathogens: A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Tannerella forsythia. Results The pairs were balanced in terms of demographic and clinical parameters, except for bleeding on probing and suppuration. In the microbiological test sites (4 for each patient), the mean probing pocket depth was 6.34±1.63 mm in patients with diabetes and 6.41±1.78 mm in patients without diabetes. No significant difference between pairs in the prevalence of P. gingivalis or the distribution of its genotypes was recorded. Patients with diabetes had a significantly greater amount of total bacterial load, P. gingivalis, T. denticola, T. forsythia, and F. nucleatum (P<0.05). Moreover, patients with diabetes had a higher number of sites with a greater cell count than patients without diabetes. When compared to the total bacterial load, only T. forsythia maintained its relative load in patients with diabetes (P=0.001). Conclusions This retrospective matched study supports the hypothesis that microbiological differences exist among periodontal patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03786133
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Montevecchi
- Division of Periodontology and Implantology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, School of Dentistry, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Leoluca Valeriani
- Division of Periodontology and Implantology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, School of Dentistry, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Gatto
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, School of Dentistry, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni D'Alessandro
- Dentistry Service for Patients with Special Needs, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, School of Dentistry, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriela Piana
- Dentistry Service for Patients with Special Needs, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, School of Dentistry, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hottmann I, Borisova M, Schäffer C, Mayer C. Peptidoglycan Salvage Enables the Periodontal Pathogen Tannerella forsythia to Survive within the Oral Microbial Community. Microb Physiol 2021; 31:123-134. [PMID: 34107471 DOI: 10.1159/000516751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia is an anaerobic, fusiform Gram-negative oral pathogen strongly associated with periodontitis, a multibacterial inflammatory disease that leads to the destruction of the teeth-supporting tissue, ultimately causing tooth loss. To survive in the oral habitat, T. forsythia depends on cohabiting bacteria for the provision of nutrients. For axenic growth under laboratory conditions, it specifically relies on the external supply of N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc), which is an essential constituent of the peptidoglycan (PGN) of bacterial cell walls. T. forsythia comprises a typical Gram-negative PGN; however, as evidenced by genome sequence analysis, the organism lacks common enzymes required for the de novo synthesis of precursors of PGN, which rationalizes its MurNAc auxotrophy. Only recently insights were obtained into how T. forsythia gains access to MurNAc in its oral habitat, enabling synthesis of the own PGN cell wall. This report summarizes T. forsythia's strategies to survive in the oral habitat by means of PGN salvage pathways, including recovery of exogenous MurNAc and PGN-derived fragments but also polymeric PGN, which are all derived from cohabiting bacteria either via cell wall turnover or decay of cells. Salvage of polymeric PGN presumably requires the removal of peptides from PGN by an unknown amidase, concomitantly with the translocation of the polymer across the outer membrane. Two recently identified exo-lytic N-acetylmuramidases (Tf_NamZ1 and Tf_NamZ2) specifically cleave the peptide-free, exogenous (nutrition source) PGN in the periplasm and release the MurNAc and disaccharide substrates for the transporters Tf_MurT and Tf_AmpG, respectively, whereas the peptide-containing, endogenous (the self-cell wall) PGN stays unattached. This review also outlines how T. forsythia synthesises the PGN precursors UDP-MurNAc and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), involving homologs of the Pseudomonas sp. recycling enzymes AmgK/MurU and a monofunctional uridylyl transferase (named Tf_GlmU*), respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Hottmann
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marina Borisova
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christina Schäffer
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mayer VMT, Tomek MB, Figl R, Borisova M, Hottmann I, Blaukopf M, Altmann F, Mayer C, Schäffer C. Utilization of different MurNAc sources by the oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia and role of the inner membrane transporter AmpG. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:352. [PMID: 33203363 PMCID: PMC7670621 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-02006-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Gram-negative oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia strictly depends on the external supply of the essential bacterial cell wall sugar N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) for survival because of the lack of the common MurNAc biosynthesis enzymes MurA/MurB. The bacterium thrives in a polymicrobial biofilm consortium and, thus, it is plausible that it procures MurNAc from MurNAc-containing peptidoglycan (PGN) fragments (muropeptides) released from cohabiting bacteria during natural PGN turnover or cell death. There is indirect evidence that in T. forsythia, an AmpG-like permease (Tanf_08365) is involved in cytoplasmic muropeptide uptake. In E. coli, AmpG is specific for the import of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-anhydroMurNAc(-peptides) which are common PGN turnover products, with the disaccharide portion as a minimal requirement. Currently, it is unclear which natural, complex MurNAc sources T. forsythia can utilize and which role AmpG plays therein. RESULTS We performed a screen of various putative MurNAc sources for T. forsythia mimicking the situation in the natural habitat and compared bacterial growth and cell morphology of the wild-type and a mutant lacking AmpG (T. forsythia ΔampG). We showed that supernatants of the oral biofilm bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, and of E. coli ΔampG, as well as isolated PGN and defined PGN fragments obtained after enzymatic digestion, namely GlcNAc-anhydroMurNAc(-peptides) and GlcNAc-MurNAc(-peptides), could sustain growth of T. forsythia wild-type, while T. forsythia ΔampG suffered from growth inhibition. In supernatants of T. forsythia ΔampG, the presence of GlcNAc-anhMurNAc and, unexpectedly, also GlcNAc-MurNAc was revealed by tandem mass spectrometry analysis, indicating that both disaccharides are substrates of AmpG. The importance of AmpG in the utilization of PGN fragments as MurNAc source was substantiated by a significant ampG upregulation in T. forsythia cells cultivated with PGN, as determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Further, our results indicate that PGN-degrading amidase, lytic transglycosylase and muramidase activities in a T. forsythia cell extract are involved in PGN scavenging. CONCLUSION T. forsythia metabolizes intact PGN as well as muropeptides released from various bacteria and the bacterium's inner membrane transporter AmpG is essential for growth on these MurNAc sources, and, contrary to the situation in E. coli, imports both, GlcNAc-anhMurNAc and GlcNAc-MurNAc fragments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina M T Mayer
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus B Tomek
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Figl
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marina Borisova
- Department of Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Microbiology/Glycobiology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Isabel Hottmann
- Department of Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Microbiology/Glycobiology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Markus Blaukopf
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friedrich Altmann
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Department of Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Microbiology/Glycobiology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Christina Schäffer
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Construction of a Gene-Deletion Mutant in Tannerella forsythia. Methods Mol Biol 2020. [PMID: 32815124 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0939-2_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia, a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, is one of the most important pathogens in periodontal disease. However, it has been difficult to construct a gene-deletion mutant in this organism, which may serve as a useful tool in microbiological research. We reported a highly efficient method to construct a gene-deletion mutant of T. forsythia in 2007, and it was accomplished by preparing competent cells from a colony grown on an agar medium instead of a broth culture. Here, we describe the same method with some improvements.
Collapse
|
13
|
Sharma A. Persistence of Tannerella forsythia and Fusobacterium nucleatum in dental plaque: a strategic alliance. CURRENT ORAL HEALTH REPORTS 2020; 7:22-28. [PMID: 36779221 PMCID: PMC9917731 DOI: 10.1007/s40496-020-00254-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The Gram-negative oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia is implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, an inflammatory disease characterized by progressive destruction of the tooth supporting structures affecting over 700 million people worldwide. This review highlights the basis of why and how T. forsythia interacts with Fusobacterium nucleatum, a bacterium considered to be a bridge between the early and late colonizing bacteria of the dental plaque. RECENT FINDINGS The recent findings indicate that these two organisms have a strong mutualistic relationship that involves foraging by T. forsythia on F. nucleatum peptidoglycan and utilization of glucose, released by the hydrolytic activity of T. forsythia glucanase, as a nutrient by F. nucleatum. In addition, T. forsythia has the unique ability to generate a toxic and inflammogenic compound, methylglyoxal, from glucose. This compound can induce inflammation, leading to the degradation of periodontal tissues and release of host components as nutrients for bacteria to further exacerbate the disease. SUMMARY In summary, this article will present our current understanding of mechanisms underpinning T. forsythia-F. nucleatum mutualism, and how this mutualism might impact periodontal disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashu Sharma
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, 3435 Main Street, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Mayer VMT, Hottmann I, Figl R, Altmann F, Mayer C, Schäffer C. Peptidoglycan-type analysis of the N-acetylmuramic acid auxotrophic oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia and reclassification of the peptidoglycan-type of Porphyromonas gingivalis. BMC Microbiol 2019; 19:200. [PMID: 31477019 PMCID: PMC6721243 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-019-1575-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tannerella forsythia is a Gram-negative oral pathogen. Together with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola it constitutes the "red complex" of bacteria, which is crucially associated with periodontitis, an inflammatory disease of the tooth supporting tissues that poses a health burden worldwide. Due to the absence of common peptidoglycan biosynthesis genes, the unique bacterial cell wall sugar N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) is an essential growth factor of T. forsythia to build up its peptidoglycan cell wall. Peptidoglycan is typically composed of a glycan backbone of alternating N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and MurNAc residues that terminates with anhydroMurNAc (anhMurNAc), and short peptides via which the sugar backbones are cross-linked to build up a bag-shaped network. RESULTS We investigated T. forsythia's peptidoglycan structure, which is an essential step towards anti-infective strategies against this pathogen. A new sensitive radioassay was developed which verified the presence of MurNAc and anhMurNAc in the cell wall of the bacterium. Upon digest of isolated peptidoglycan with endo-N-acetylmuramidase, exo-N-acetylglucosaminidase and muramyl-L-alanine amidase, respectively, peptidoglycan fragments were obtained. HPLC and mass spectrometry (MS) analyses revealed the presence of GlcNAc-MurNAc-peptides and the cross-linked dimer with retention-times and masses, respectively, equalling those of control digests of Escherichia coli and P. gingivalis peptidoglycan. Data were confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) analysis, revealing the GlcNAc-MurNAc-tetra-tetra-MurNAc-GlcNAc dimer to contain the sequence of the amino acids alanine, glutamic acid, diaminopimelic acid (DAP) and alanine, as well as a direct cross-link between DAP on the third and alanine on the fourth position of the two opposite stem peptides. The stereochemistry of DAP was determined by reversed-phase HPLC after dabsylation of hydrolysed peptidoglycan to be of the meso-type. CONCLUSION T. forsythia peptidoglycan is of the A1γ-type like that of E. coli. Additionally, the classification of P. gingivalis peptidoglycan as A3γ needs to be revised to A1γ, due to the presence of meso-DAP instead of LL-DAP, as reported previously.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina M T Mayer
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabel Hottmann
- Department of Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Eberhard Karls Universität, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rudolf Figl
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friedrich Altmann
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Department of Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Eberhard Karls Universität, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Christina Schäffer
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Mayer C, Kluj RM, Mühleck M, Walter A, Unsleber S, Hottmann I, Borisova M. Bacteria's different ways to recycle their own cell wall. Int J Med Microbiol 2019; 309:151326. [PMID: 31296364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to recover components of their own cell wall is a common feature of bacteria. This was initially recognized in the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, which recycles about half of the peptidoglycan of its cell wall during one cell doubling. Moreover, E. coli was shown to grow on peptidoglycan components provided as nutrients. A distinguished recycling enzyme of E. coli required for both, recovery of the cell wall sugar N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) of the own cell wall and for growth on external MurNAc, is the MurNAc 6-phosphate (MurNAc 6P) lactyl ether hydrolase MurQ. We revealed however, that most Gram-negative bacteria lack a murQ ortholog and instead harbor a pathway, absent in E. coli, that channels MurNAc directly to peptidoglycan biosynthesis. This "anabolic recycling pathway" bypasses the initial steps of peptidoglycan de novo synthesis, including the target of the antibiotic fosfomycin, thus providing intrinsic resistance to the antibiotic. The Gram-negative oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia is auxotrophic for MurNAc and apparently depends on the anabolic recycling pathway to synthesize its own cell wall by scavenging cell wall debris of other bacteria. In contrast, Gram-positive bacteria lack the anabolic recycling genes, but mostly contain one or two murQ orthologs. Quantification of MurNAc 6P accumulation in murQ mutant cells by mass spectrometry allowed us to demonstrate for the first time that Gram-positive bacteria do recycle their own peptidoglycan. This had been questioned earlier, since peptidoglycan turnover products accumulate in the spent media of Gram-positives. We showed, that these fragments are recovered during nutrient limitation, which prolongs starvation survival of Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Peptidoglycan recycling in these bacteria however differs, as the cell wall is either cleaved exhaustively and monosaccharide building blocks are taken up (B. subtilis) or disaccharides are released and recycled involving a novel phosphomuramidase (MupG; S.aureus). In B. subtilis also the teichoic acids, covalently bound to the peptidoglycan (wall teichoic acids; WTAs), are recycled. During phosphate limitation, the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate phosphodiesterase GlpQ specifically degrades WTAs of B. subtilis. In S. aureus, in contrast, GlpQ is used to scavenge external teichoic acid sources. Thus, although bacteria generally recover their own cell wall, they apparently apply distinct strategies for breakdown and reutilization of cell wall fragments. This review summarizes our work on this topic funded between 2011 and 2019 by the DFG within the collaborative research center SFB766.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Mayer
- Mikrobiologie/Biotechnologie, Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin Tübingen (IMIT), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Robert Maria Kluj
- Mikrobiologie/Biotechnologie, Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin Tübingen (IMIT), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maraike Mühleck
- Mikrobiologie/Biotechnologie, Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin Tübingen (IMIT), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Axel Walter
- Mikrobiologie/Biotechnologie, Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin Tübingen (IMIT), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Unsleber
- Mikrobiologie/Biotechnologie, Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin Tübingen (IMIT), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Isabel Hottmann
- Mikrobiologie/Biotechnologie, Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin Tübingen (IMIT), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marina Borisova
- Mikrobiologie/Biotechnologie, Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin Tübingen (IMIT), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bloch S, Tomek MB, Friedrich V, Messner P, Schäffer C. Nonulosonic acids contribute to the pathogenicity of the oral bacterium Tannerella forsythia. Interface Focus 2019; 9:20180064. [PMID: 30842870 PMCID: PMC6388019 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2018.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Periodontitis is a polymicrobial, biofilm-caused, inflammatory disease affecting the tooth-supporting tissues. It is not only the leading cause of tooth loss worldwide, but can also impact systemic health. The development of effective treatment strategies is hampered by the complicated disease pathogenesis which is best described by a polymicrobial synergy and dysbiosis model. This model classifies the Gram-negative anaerobe Tannerella forsythia as a periodontal pathogen, making it a prime candidate for interference with the disease. Tannerella forsythia employs a protein O-glycosylation system that enables high-density display of nonulosonic acids via the bacterium's two-dimensional crystalline cell surface layer. Nonulosonic acids are sialic acid-like sugars which are well known for their pivotal biological roles. This review summarizes the current knowledge of T. forsythia's unique cell envelope with a focus on composition, biosynthesis and functional implications of the cell surface O-glycan. We have obtained evidence that glycobiology affects the bacterium's immunogenicity and capability to establish itself in the polymicrobial oral biofilm. Analysis of the genomes of different T. forsythia isolates revealed that complex protein O-glycosylation involving nonulosonic acids is a hallmark of pathogenic T. forsythia strains and, thus, constitutes a valuable target for the design of novel anti-infective strategies to combat periodontitis.
Collapse
|
17
|
Beall CJ, Campbell AG, Griffen AL, Podar M, Leys EJ. Genomics of the Uncultivated, Periodontitis-Associated Bacterium Tannerella sp. BU045 (Oral Taxon 808). mSystems 2018; 3:e00018-18. [PMID: 29896567 PMCID: PMC5989130 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00018-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research into the human oral microbiome, many species remain uncultivated. The technique of single-cell whole-genome amplification and sequencing provides a means of deriving genome sequences for species that can be informative on biological function and suggest pathways to cultivation. Tannerella forsythia has long been known to be highly associated with chronic periodontitis and to cause periodontitis-like symptoms in experimental animals, and Tannerella sp. BU045 (human oral taxon 808) is an uncultivated relative of this organism. In this work, we extend our previous sequencing of the Tannerella sp. BU063 (human oral taxon 286) genome by sequencing amplified genomes from 11 cells of Tannerella sp. BU045, including 3 genomes that are at least 90% complete. Tannerella sp. BU045 is more closely related to Tannerella sp. BU063 than to T. forsythia by gene content and average nucleotide identity. However, two independent data sets of association with periodontitis, one based on 16S rRNA gene abundance and the other based on gene expression in a metatranscriptomic data set, show that Tannerella sp. BU045 is more highly associated with disease than Tannerella sp. BU063. Comparative genomics shows genes and functions that are shared or unique to the different species, which may direct further research of the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis. IMPORTANCE Periodontitis (gum disease) affects 47% of adults over 30 in the United States (P. I. Eke, B. A. Dye, L. Wei, G. O. Thornton-Evans, R. J. Genco, et al., J Dent Res 91:914-920, 2012), and it cost between $39 and $396 billion worldwide in 2015 (A. J. Righolt, M. Jevdjevic, W. Marcenes, and S. Listl, J Dent Res, 17 January 2018, https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034517750572). Many bacteria associated with the disease are known only by the DNA sequence of their 16S rRNA gene. In this publication, amplification and sequencing of DNA from single bacterial cells are used to obtain nearly complete genomes of Tannerella sp. BU045, a species of bacteria that is more prevalent in patients with periodontitis than in healthy patients. Comparing the complete genome of this bacterium to genomes of related bacterial species will help to better understand periodontitis and may help to grow this organism in pure culture, which would allow a better understanding of its role in the mouth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clifford J. Beall
- Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Alisha G. Campbell
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
- Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ann L. Griffen
- Division of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Mircea Podar
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
- Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eugene J. Leys
- Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
Modern day endodontics is undergoing a massive change with the introduction of new molecular based techniques for microbial identification. This review focuses on the microbiota in untreated and root-filled canals. It will also describe briefly the recent developments in microbial identification and the mechanisms by which certain species of microbes are able to invade and establish themselves in the root canal.
Collapse
|
19
|
Evidence for a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) of Tannerella forsythia NanH sialidase, key to interactions at the host–pathogen interface. Biochem J 2018; 475:1159-1176. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20170592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial sialidases cleave terminal sialic acid from a variety of host glycoproteins, and contribute to survival and growth of many human-dwelling bacterial species, including various pathogens. Tannerella forsythia, an oral, Gram-negative, fastidious anaerobe, is a key organism in periodontal disease and possesses a dedicated sialic acid utilisation and scavenging (nan) operon, including NanH sialidase. Here, we describe biochemical characterisation of recombinant NanH, including its action on host-relevant sialoglycans such as sialyl Lewis A and sialyl Lewis X (SLeA/X), and on human cell-attached sialic acids directly, uncovering that it is a highly active broad specificity sialidase. Furthermore, the N-terminal domain of NanH was hypothesised and proved to be capable of binding to a range of sialoglycans and non-sialylated derivatives with Kd in the micromolar range, as determined by steady-state tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy, but it has no catalytic activity in isolation from the active site. We consider this domain to represent the founding member of a novel subfamily of carbohydrate-binding module (CBM), involved in glycosidase-ligand binding. In addition, we created a catalytically inactive version of the NanH enzyme (FRIP → YMAP) that retained its ability to bind sialic acid-containing ligands and revealed for the first time that binding activity of a CBM is enhanced by association with the catalytic domain. Finally, we investigated the importance of Lewis-type sialoglycans on T. forsythia–host interactions, showing that nanomolar amounts of SLeA/X were capable of reducing invasion of oral epithelial cells by T. forsythia, suggesting that these are key ligands for bacterial–cellular interactions during periodontal disease.
Collapse
|
20
|
Ruscitto A, Sharma A. Peptidoglycan synthesis in Tannerella forsythia: Scavenging is the modus operandi. Mol Oral Microbiol 2018; 33:125-132. [PMID: 29247483 DOI: 10.1111/omi.12210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia is a Gram-negative oral pathogen strongly associated with periodontitis. This bacterium has an absolute requirement for exogenous N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc), an amino sugar that forms the repeating disaccharide unit with amino sugar N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) of the peptidoglycan backbone. In silico genome analysis indicates that T. forsythia lacks the key biosynthetic enzymes needed for the de novo synthesis of MurNAc, and so relies on alternative ways to meet its requirement for peptidoglycan biosynthesis. In the subgingival niche, the bacterium can acquire MurNAc and peptidoglycan fragments (muropeptides) released by the cohabiting bacteria during their cell wall breakdown associated with cell division. Tannerella forsythia is able to also use host sialic acid (Neu5Ac) in lieu of MurNAc or muropeptides for its survival during the biofilm growth. Evidence suggests that the bacterium might be able to shunt sialic acid into a metabolic pathway leading to peptidoglycan synthesis. In this review, we explore the mechanisms by which T. forsythia is able to scavenge MurNAc, muropeptide and sialic acid for its peptidoglycan synthesis, and the impact of these scavenging activities on pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - A Sharma
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hottmann I, Mayer VMT, Tomek MB, Friedrich V, Calvert MB, Titz A, Schäffer C, Mayer C. N-Acetylmuramic Acid (MurNAc) Auxotrophy of the Oral Pathogen Tannerella forsythia: Characterization of a MurNAc Kinase and Analysis of Its Role in Cell Wall Metabolism. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:19. [PMID: 29434575 PMCID: PMC5790795 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia is an anaerobic, Gram-negative oral pathogen that thrives in multispecies gingival biofilms associated with periodontitis. The bacterium is auxotrophic for the commonly essential bacterial cell wall sugar N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) and, thus, strictly depends on an exogenous supply of MurNAc for growth and maintenance of cell morphology. A MurNAc transporter (Tf_MurT; Tanf_08375) and an ortholog of the Escherichia coli etherase MurQ (Tf_MurQ; Tanf_08385) converting MurNAc-6-phosphate to GlcNAc-6-phosphate were recently described for T. forsythia. In between the respective genes on the T. forsythia genome, a putative kinase gene is located. In this study, the putative kinase (Tf_MurK; Tanf_08380) was produced as a recombinant protein and biochemically characterized. Kinetic studies revealed Tf_MurK to be a 6-kinase with stringent substrate specificity for MurNAc exhibiting a 6 × 104-fold higher catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km ) for MurNAc than for N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) with kcat values of 10.5 s-1 and 0.1 s-1 and Km values of 200 μM and 116 mM, respectively. The enzyme kinetic data suggest that Tf_MurK is subject to substrate inhibition (Ki[S] = 4.2 mM). To assess the role of Tf_MurK in the cell wall metabolism of T. forsythia, a kinase deletion mutant (ΔTf_murK::erm) was constructed. This mutant accumulated MurNAc intracellularly in the exponential phase, indicating the capability to take up MurNAc, but inability to catabolize MurNAc. In the stationary phase, the MurNAc level was reduced in the mutant, while the level of the peptidoglycan precursor UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide was highly elevated. Further, according to scanning electron microscopy evidence, the ΔTf_murK::erm mutant was more tolerant toward low MurNAc concentration in the medium (below 0.5 μg/ml) before transition from healthy, rod-shaped to fusiform cells occurred, while the parent strain required > 1 μg/ml MurNAc for optimal growth. These data reveal that T. forsythia readily catabolizes exogenous MurNAc but simultaneously channels a proportion of the sugar into peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Deletion of Tf_murK blocks MurNAc catabolism and allows the direction of MurNAc solely to peptidoglycan biosynthesis, resulting in a growth advantage in MurNAc-depleted medium. This work increases our understanding of the T. forsythia cell wall metabolism and may pave new routes for lead finding in the treatment of periodontitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Hottmann
- Microbiology and Biotechnology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Department of Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Valentina M. T. Mayer
- NanoGlycobiology Unit, Department of NanoBiotechnology, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus B. Tomek
- NanoGlycobiology Unit, Department of NanoBiotechnology, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Valentin Friedrich
- NanoGlycobiology Unit, Department of NanoBiotechnology, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthew B. Calvert
- Chemical Biology of Carbohydrates, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Alexander Titz
- Chemical Biology of Carbohydrates, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Christina Schäffer
- NanoGlycobiology Unit, Department of NanoBiotechnology, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Microbiology and Biotechnology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Department of Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Byrne SJ, Butler CA, Reynolds EC, Dashper SG. Taxonomy of Oral Bacteria. METHODS IN MICROBIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mim.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
23
|
Affiliation(s)
- William Wade
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Programme, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' Dental Institute, King's College London, Floor 28, Guy's Tower, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Elamin A, Ali RW, Bakken V. Putative periodontopathic bacteria and herpes viruses interactions in the subgingival plaque of patients with aggressive periodontitis and healthy controls. Clin Exp Dent Res 2017; 3:183-190. [PMID: 29744199 PMCID: PMC5839261 DOI: 10.1002/cre2.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The microbial profile of aggressive periodontitis patients is considered to be complex with variations among populations in different geographical areas. The aim of this study was to assess the presences of 4 putative periodontopathic bacteria (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola) and 2 periodontal herpes viruses (Epstein-Barr virus type 1 [EBV-1] and human cytomegalovirus [HMCV]) in subgingival plaque of Sudanese subjects with aggressive periodontitis and healthy controls. The study group consisted of 34 subjects, 17 aggressive periodontitis patients and 17 periodontally healthy controls (14-19 years of age). Pooled subgingival plaque samples were collected and analyzed for detection of bacteria and viruses using loop-mediated isothermal amplification. Prevalence of subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans, HCMV, and P. gingivalis were significantly higher among aggressive periodontitis patients than periodontally healthy controls. Coinfection with A. actinomycetemcomitans, HCMV, and/or EBV-1 was restricted to the cases. Increased risk of aggressive periodontitis was the highest when A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected together with EBV-1 (OD 49.0, 95% CI [2.5, 948.7], p = .01) and HCMV (OD 39.1, 95% CI [2.0, 754.6], p = .02). In Sudanese patients, A. actinomycetemcomitans and HCMV were the most associated test pathogens with aggressive periodontitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amal Elamin
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health SciencesZayed UniversityDubaiUAE
- Department of Clinical ScienceUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| | - Raouf Wahab Ali
- Department of PeriodontologyUniversity of Science and TechnologyOmdurmanSudan
| | - Vidar Bakken
- Department of Clinical ScienceUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ruscitto A, Honma K, Veeramachineni VM, Nishikawa K, Stafford GP, Sharma A. Regulation and Molecular Basis of Environmental Muropeptide Uptake and Utilization in Fastidious Oral Anaerobe Tannerella forsythia. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:648. [PMID: 28446907 PMCID: PMC5388701 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia is a Gram-negative oral anaerobe associated with periodontitis. This bacterium is auxotrophic for the peptidoglycan amino sugar N-acetylmuramic (MurNAc) and likely relies on scavenging peptidoglycan fragments (muropeptides) released by cohabiting bacteria during their cell wall recycling. Many Gram-negative bacteria utilize an inner membrane permease, AmpG, to transport peptidoglycan fragments into their cytoplasm. In the T. forsythia genome, the Tanf_08365 ORF has been identified as a homolog of AmpG permease. In order to confirm the functionality of Tanf_08365, a reporter system in an Escherichia coli host was generated that could detect AmpG-dependent accumulation of cytosolic muropeptides via a muropeptide-inducible β-lactamase reporter gene. In trans complementation of this reporter strain with a Tanf_08365 containing plasmid caused significant induction of β-lactamase activity compared to that with an empty plasmid control. These data indicated that Tanf_08365 acted as a functional muropeptide permease causing accumulation of muropeptides in E. coli and thus suggested that it is a permease involved in muropeptide scavenging in T. forsythia. Furthermore, we showed that the promoter regulating the expression of Tanf_08365 was activated significantly by a hybrid two-component system regulatory protein, GppX. We also showed that compared to the parental T. forsythia strain a mutant lacking GppX in which the expression of AmpG was reduced significantly attenuated in utilizing free muropeptides. In summary, we have uncovered the mechanism by which this nutritionally fastidious microbe accesses released muropeptides in its environment, opening up the possibility of targeting this activity to reduce its numbers in periodontitis patients with potential benefits in the treatment of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Ruscitto
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, BuffaloNY, USA
| | - Kiyonobu Honma
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, BuffaloNY, USA
| | | | - Kiyoshi Nishikawa
- Department of Microbiology and Removable Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin UniversityNagoya, Japan
| | | | - Ashu Sharma
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, BuffaloNY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Draft Genome Sequences of Three Clinical Isolates of Tannerella forsythia Isolated from Subgingival Plaque from Periodontitis Patients in the United States. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2016; 4:4/6/e01286-16. [PMID: 27908987 PMCID: PMC5137401 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.01286-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We report the genome sequences of three clinical isolates of Tannerella forsythia from the subgingival plaque of periodontitis patients attending clinics at the School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo. The availability of these genome sequences will aid the understanding of the pathogenesis of periodontitis.
Collapse
|
27
|
Identification of a Novel N-Acetylmuramic Acid Transporter in Tannerella forsythia. J Bacteriol 2016; 198:3119-3125. [PMID: 27601356 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00473-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia is a Gram-negative periodontal pathogen lacking the ability to undergo de novo synthesis of amino sugars N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) that form the disaccharide repeating unit of the peptidoglycan backbone. T. forsythia relies on the uptake of these sugars from the environment, which is so far unexplored. Here, we identified a novel transporter system of T. forsythia involved in the uptake of MurNAc across the inner membrane and characterized a homolog of the Escherichia coli MurQ etherase involved in the conversion of MurNAc-6-phosphate (MurNAc-6-P) to GlcNAc-6-P. The genes encoding these components were identified on a three-gene cluster spanning Tanf_08375 to Tanf_08385 located downstream from a putative peptidoglycan recycling locus. We show that the three genes, Tanf_08375, Tanf_08380, and Tanf_08385, encoding a MurNAc transporter, a putative sugar kinase, and a MurQ etherase, respectively, are transcriptionally linked. Complementation of the Tanf_08375 and Tanf_08380 genes together in trans, but not individually, rescued the inability of an E. coli mutant deficient in the phosphotransferase (PTS) system-dependent MurNAc transporter MurP as well as that of a double mutant deficient in MurP and components of the PTS system to grow on MurNAc. In addition, complementation with this two-gene construct in E. coli caused depletion of MurNAc in the medium, further confirming this observation. Our results show that the products of Tanf_08375 and Tanf_08380 constitute a novel non-PTS MurNAc transporter system that seems to be widespread among bacteria of the Bacteroidetes phylum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first identification of a PTS-independent MurNAc transporter in bacteria. IMPORTANCE In this study, we report the identification of a novel transporter for peptidoglycan amino sugar N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) in the periodontal pathogen T. forsythia It has been known since the late 1980s that T. forsythia is a MurNAc auxotroph relying on environmental sources for this essential sugar. Most sugar transporters, and the MurNAc transporter MurP in particular, require a PTS phosphorelay to drive the uptake and concurrent phosphorylation of the sugar through the inner membrane in Gram-negative bacteria. Our study uncovered a novel type of PTS-independent MurNAc transporter, and although so far, it seems to be unique to T. forsythia, it may be present in a range of bacteria both of the oral cavity and gut, especially of the phylum Bacteroidetes.
Collapse
|
28
|
Wong BKJ, McGregor NR, Butt HL, Knight R, Liu LY, Darby IB. Association of clinical parameters with periodontal bacterial haemolytic activity. J Clin Periodontol 2016; 43:503-11. [PMID: 27105613 DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.12554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To determine whether haemolytic activity of subgingival bacteria is associated with periodontitis clinical parameters and to identify which bacteria produce the haemolysins. MATERIALS AND METHODS Subgingival plaque samples from 22 untreated chronic periodontitis patients were investigated by culture and identified with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS Total aerobic and anaerobic bacterial viable counts, percentage distribution of α- and β-haemolytic bacteria were significantly elevated in diseased sites in relation to healthy sites (p < 0.001). Periodontal pathogens were more frequently detected at diseased sites: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema sp., Prevotella sp., Parvimonas micra, Fusobacterium sp., Campylobacter sp., Capnocytophaga sp., and Selenomonas sp. Haemolytic unidentifiable species and Gram-positive anaerobes such as Slackia exigua, Solobacterium moorei, and Bulledia extructa were also more frequently detected at diseased sites. In diseased sites, the presence of different haemolytic characteristics was more strongly correlated with clinical measures of disease than the mere absence or presence of specific species. The strongest correlation with probing pocket depth was observed for overall β-haemolytic toxicity (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION A strong association was observed between subgingival bacterial haemolytic activity and clinical parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis. Further investigations are warranted to delineate the role of haemolysins in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benedicta K J Wong
- Melbourne Dental School, Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Vic., Australia
| | - Neil R McGregor
- Melbourne Dental School, Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Vic., Australia.,Bioscreen (Aust) Pty Ltd, Yarraville, Vic., Australia
| | - Henry L Butt
- Bioscreen (Aust) Pty Ltd, Yarraville, Vic., Australia
| | - Rachel Knight
- Bioscreen (Aust) Pty Ltd, Yarraville, Vic., Australia
| | - Louise Ye Liu
- Melbourne Dental School, Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Vic., Australia
| | - Ivan B Darby
- Melbourne Dental School, Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Vic., Australia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Megson ZA, Pittenauer E, Duda KA, Engel R, Ortmayr K, Koellensperger G, Mach L, Allmaier G, Holst O, Messner P, Schäffer C. Inositol-phosphodihydroceramides in the periodontal pathogen Tannerella forsythia: Structural analysis and incorporation of exogenous myo-inositol. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2015; 1851:1417-27. [PMID: 26277409 PMCID: PMC4587543 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unique phosphodihydroceramides containing phosphoethanolamine and glycerol have been previously described in Porphyromonas gingivalis. Importantly, they were shown to possess pro-inflammatory properties. Other common human bacteria were screened for the presence of these lipids, and they were found, amongst others, in the oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia. To date, no detailed study into the lipids of this organism has been performed. METHODS Lipids were extracted, separated and purified by HPTLC, and analyzed using GC-MS, ESI-MS and NMR. Of special interest was how T. forsythia acquires the metabolic precursors for the lipids studied here. This was assayed by radioactive and stable isotope incorporation using carbon-14 and deuterium labeled myo-inositol, added to the growth medium. RESULTS T. forsythia synthesizes two phosphodihydroceramides (Tf GL1, Tf GL2) which are constituted by phospho-myo-inositol linked to either a 17-, 18-, or 19-carbon sphinganine, N-linked to either a branched 17:0(3-OH) or a linear 16:0(3-OH) fatty acid which, in Tf GL2, is, in turn, ester-substituted with a branched 15:0 fatty acid. T. forsythia lacks the enzymatic machinery required for myo-inositol synthesis but was found to internalize inositol from the medium for the synthesis of both Tf GL1 and Tf GL2. CONCLUSION The study describes two novel glycolipids in T. forsythia which could be essential in this organism. Their synthesis could be reliant on an external source of myo-inositol. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The effects of these unique lipids on the immune system and their role in bacterial virulence could be relevant in the search for new drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Anne Megson
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ernst Pittenauer
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna, University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katarzyna Anna Duda
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Parkallee 4a/4c, 23845 Borstel, Germany
| | - Regina Engel
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Parkallee 4a/4c, 23845 Borstel, Germany
| | - Karin Ortmayr
- Department of Chemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gunda Koellensperger
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Mach
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Günter Allmaier
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna, University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Otto Holst
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Parkallee 4a/4c, 23845 Borstel, Germany
| | - Paul Messner
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina Schäffer
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Oral colonising bacteria are highly adapted to the various environmental niches harboured within the mouth, whether that means while contributing to one of the major oral diseases of caries, pulp infections, or gingival/periodontal disease or as part of a commensal lifestyle. Key to these infections is the ability to adhere to surfaces via a range of specialised adhesins targeted at both salivary and epithelial proteins, their glycans and to form biofilm. They must also resist the various physical stressors they are subjected to, including pH and oxidative stress. Possibly most strikingly, they have developed the ability to harvest both nutrient sources provided by the diet and those derived from the host, such as protein and surface glycans. We have attempted to review recent developments that have revealed much about the molecular mechanisms at work in shaping the physiology of oral bacteria and how we might use this information to design and implement new treatment strategies.
Collapse
|
31
|
Bankur PK, Nayak A, Bhat K, Bankur R, Naik R, Rajpoot N. Comparison of culture and polymerase chain reaction techniques in the identification of Tannerella forsythia in periodontal health and disease, an in vitro study. J Indian Soc Periodontol 2014; 18:155-60. [PMID: 24872621 PMCID: PMC4033879 DOI: 10.4103/0972-124x.131312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Various bacterial species from subgingival biofilm have demonstrated aetiological relevance in the initiation and progression of periodontitis. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Tannerella forsythia (Tf) in subgingival plaque of periodontally healthy subjects and chronic periodontitis patients by using both culture and PCR technique and compare the two techniques. Materials and Methods: Pooled subgingival plaque samples were taken using sterile curettes from predetermined sites in 50 periodontally healthy subjects and from 50 periodontitis subjects. Samples were analyzed for the presence of T. forsythia using both techniques. Statistical analysis of the results was done using Chi-square test, sensitivity, and specificity tests. Results: Both techniques could detect T. forsythia in subgingival plaque samples from healthy and periodontitis subjects. Periodontally healthy individuals and individuals with chronic periodontitis using the culture technique showed the presence of T. forsythia in 14 and 34%, respectively. PCR technique showed the presence of T. forsythia in 20% healthy and 40% chronic periodontitis patients. T. forsythia detection in the periodontitis group was statistically significantly higher when compared to the healthy group by both culture and PCR technique (P = 0.019 and P = 0.029). PCR demonstrated high sensitivity and low specificity when compared to the culture technique. Conclusion: The results indicated that T. forsythia was more prevalent in periodontitis patients when compared with healthy subjects. The PCR was found to be more sensitive than culture technique for detection of T. forsythia from the subgingival plaque samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Kumar Bankur
- Department of Periodontology, Guru Gobind Singh College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Aarati Nayak
- Department of Periodontology, Maratha Mandal's NGH Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Kishore Bhat
- Department of Periodontology, Maratha Mandal's NGH Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rashmi Bankur
- Department of Oral Pathology, M. R. Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Reshma Naik
- Department of Oral Pathology, Sathyadeep Dental Clinic, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Nami Rajpoot
- Department of Periodontology, Maratha Mandal's NGH Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Jiao Y, Hasegawa M, Inohara N. The Role of Oral Pathobionts in Dysbiosis during Periodontitis Development. J Dent Res 2014; 93:539-46. [PMID: 24646638 DOI: 10.1177/0022034514528212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
An emerging concept is the tight relationship between dysbiosis (microbiota imbalance) and disease. The increase in knowledge about alterations in microbial communities that reside within the host has made a strong impact not only on dental science, but also on immunology and microbiology as well as on our understanding of several diseases. Periodontitis is a well-characterized human disease associated with dysbiosis, characterized by the accumulation of multiple bacteria that play individual and critical roles in bone loss around the teeth. Dysbiosis is largely dependent on cooperative and competitive interactions among oral microbes during the formation of the pathogenic biofilm community at gingival sites. Oral pathobionts play different and synergistic roles in periodontitis development, depending on their host-damaging and immunostimulatory activities. Host immune responses to oral pathobionts act as a double-edged sword not only by protecting the host against pathobionts, but also by promoting alveolar bone loss. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the roles of individual oral bacteria, including a new type of pathobionts that possess strong immunostimulatory activity, which is critical for alveolar bone loss. Better understanding of the roles of oral pathobionts is expected to lead to a better understanding of periodontitis disease and to the development of novel preventive and therapeutic approaches for the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Jiao
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - M Hasegawa
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - N Inohara
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Impact of early colonizers on in vitro subgingival biofilm formation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83090. [PMID: 24340084 PMCID: PMC3855599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of early colonizing species on the structure and the composition of the bacterial community developing in a subgingival 10-species biofilm model system. The model included Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus anginosus, Actinomycesoris, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum, Veillonella dispar, Campylobacter rectus, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. Based on literature, we considered Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus anginosus, and Actinomyces oris as early colonizers and examined their role in the biofilms by either a delayed addition to the consortium, or by not inoculating at all the biofilms with these species. We quantitatively evaluated the resulting biofilms by real-time quantitative PCR and further compared the structures using confocal laser scanning microscopy following fluorescence in situ hybridisation. The absence of the early colonizers did not hinder biofilm formation. The biofilms reached the same total counts and developed to normal thickness. However, quantitative shifts in the abundances of individual species were observed. In the absence of streptococci, the overall biofilm structure appeared looser and more dispersed. Moreover, besides a significant increase of P. intermedia and a decrease of P. gingivalis , P. intermedia appeared to form filamented long chains that resembled streptococci. A. oris, although growing to significantly higher abundance in absence of streptococci, did not have a visible impact on the biofilms. Hence, in the absence of the early colonizers, there is a pronounced effect on P. intermedia and P. gingivalis that may cause distinct shifts in the structure of the biofilm. Streptococci possibly facilitate the establishment of P. gingivalis into subgingival biofilms, while in their absence P. intermedia became more dominant and forms elongated chains.
Collapse
|
34
|
Siqueira JF, Rôças IN. As-yet-uncultivated oral bacteria: breadth and association with oral and extra-oral diseases. J Oral Microbiol 2013; 5:21077. [PMID: 23717756 PMCID: PMC3664057 DOI: 10.3402/jom.v5i0.21077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been shown that 40–60% of the bacteria found in different healthy and diseased oral sites still remain to be grown in vitro, phenotypically characterized, and formally named as species. The possibility exists that these as-yet-uncultivated bacteria play important ecological roles in oral bacterial communities and may participate in the pathogenesis of several oral infectious diseases. There is also a potential for these as-yet-uncultivated oral bacteria to take part in extra-oral infections. For a comprehensive characterization of physiological and pathogenic properties as well as antimicrobial susceptibility of individual bacterial species, strains need to be grown in pure culture. Advances in culturing techniques have allowed the cultivation of several oral bacterial taxa only previously known by a 16S rRNA gene sequence signature, and novel species have been proposed. There is a growing need for developing improved methods to cultivate and characterize the as-yet-uncultivated portion of the oral microbiome so as to unravel its role in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José F Siqueira
- Department of Endodontics and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Posch G, Sekot G, Friedrich V, Megson ZA, Koerdt A, Messner P, Schäffer C. Glycobiology Aspects of the Periodontal Pathogen Tannerella forsythia. Biomolecules 2012; 2:467-82. [PMID: 24970146 PMCID: PMC4030854 DOI: 10.3390/biom2040467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2012] [Revised: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 09/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycobiology is important for the periodontal pathogen Tannerella forsythia, affecting the bacterium's cellular integrity, its life-style, and virulence potential. The bacterium possesses a unique Gram-negative cell envelope with a glycosylated surface (S-) layer as outermost decoration that is proposed to be anchored via a rough lipopolysaccharide. The S-layer glycan has the structure 4‑MeO-b-ManpNAcCONH2-(1→3)-[Pse5Am7Gc-(2→4)-]-b-ManpNAcA-(1→4)-[4-MeO-a-Galp-(1→2)-]-a-Fucp-(1→4)-[-a-Xylp-(1→3)-]-b-GlcpA-(1→3)-[-b-Digp-(1→2)-]-a-Galp and is linked to distinct serine and threonine residues within the D(S/T)(A/I/L/M/T/V) amino acid motif. Also several other Tannerella proteins are modified with the S‑layer oligosaccharide, indicating the presence of a general O‑glycosylation system. Protein O‑glycosylation impacts the life-style of T. forsythia since truncated S-layer glycans present in a defined mutant favor biofilm formation. While the S‑layer has also been shown to be a virulence factor and to delay the bacterium's recognition by the innate immune system of the host, the contribution of glycosylation to modulating host immunity is currently unraveling. Recently, it was shown that Tannerella surface glycosylation has a role in restraining the Th17-mediated neutrophil infiltration in the gingival tissues. Related to its asaccharolytic physiology, T. forsythia expresses a robust enzymatic repertoire, including several glycosidases, such as sialidases, which are linked to specific growth requirements and are involved in triggering host tissue destruction. This review compiles the current knowledge on the glycobiology of T. forsythia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Posch
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Gerhard Sekot
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Valentin Friedrich
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Zoë A Megson
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Andrea Koerdt
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Paul Messner
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Christina Schäffer
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Fusobacterium nucleatum and Tannerella forsythia induce synergistic alveolar bone loss in a mouse periodontitis model. Infect Immun 2012; 80:2436-43. [PMID: 22547549 DOI: 10.1128/iai.06276-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia is strongly associated with chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory disease of the tooth-supporting tissues, leading to tooth loss. Fusobacterium nucleatum, an opportunistic pathogen, is thought to promote dental plaque formation by serving as a bridge bacterium between early- and late-colonizing species of the oral cavity. Previous studies have shown that F. nucleatum species synergize with T. forsythia during biofilm formation and pathogenesis. In the present study, we showed that coinfection of F. nucleatum and T. forsythia is more potent than infection with either species alone in inducing NF-κB activity and proinflammatory cytokine secretion in monocytic cells and primary murine macrophages. Moreover, in a murine model of periodontitis, mixed infection with the two species induces synergistic alveolar bone loss, characterized by bone loss which is greater than the additive alveolar bone losses induced by each species alone. Further, in comparison to the single-species infection, mixed infection caused significantly increased inflammatory cell infiltration in the gingivae and osteoclastic activity in the jaw bones. These data show that F. nucleatum subspecies and T. forsythia synergistically stimulate the host immune response and induce alveolar bone loss in a murine experimental periodontitis model.
Collapse
|
37
|
Roy S, Phansopa C, Stafford P, Honma K, Douglas CWI, Sharma A, Stafford GP. Beta-hexosaminidase activity of the oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia influences biofilm formation on glycoprotein substrates. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 65:116-20. [PMID: 22276920 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2012.00933.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia is an important pathogen in periodontal disease. Previously, we showed that its sialidase activity is key to utilization of sialic acid from a range of human glycoproteins for biofilm growth and initial adhesion. Removal of terminal sialic acid residues often exposes β-linked glucosamine or galactosamine, which may also be important adhesive molecules. In turn, these residues are often removed by a group of enzymes known as β-hexosaminidases. We show here that T. forsythia has the ability to cleave glucosamine and galactosamine from model substrates and that this activity can be inhibited by the hexosaminidase inhibitor PugNAc (O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranosylidene)amino N-phenyl carbamate). We now demonstrate for the first time that β-hexosaminidase activity plays a role in biofilm growth on glycoprotein-coated surfaces because biofilm growth and initial cell adhesion are inhibited by PugNAc. In contrast, adhesion to siallo-glycoprotein-coated surfaces is unaltered by PugNAc in the absence of sialidase activity (using a sialidase-deficient mutant) or surprisingly on the clinically relevant substrates saliva or serum. These data indicate that β-hexosaminidase activity has a significant role in biofilm formation in combination with sialidase activity in the biofilm lifestyle of T. forsythia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumita Roy
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Stafford G, Roy S, Honma K, Sharma A. Sialic acid, periodontal pathogens and Tannerella forsythia: stick around and enjoy the feast! Mol Oral Microbiol 2012; 27:11-22. [PMID: 22230462 PMCID: PMC4049603 DOI: 10.1111/j.2041-1014.2011.00630.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Periodontal pathogens, like any other human commensal or pathogenic bacterium, must possess both the ability to acquire the necessary growth factors and the means to adhere to surfaces or reside and survive in their environmental niche. Recent evidence has suggested that sialic acid containing host molecules may provide both of these requirements in vivo for several periodontal pathogens but most notably for the red complex organism Tannerella forsythia. Several other periodontal pathogens also possess sialic acid scavenging enzymes - sialidases, which can also expose adhesive epitopes, but might also act as adhesins in their own right. In addition, recent experimental work coupled with the release of several genome sequences has revealed that periodontal bacteria have a range of sialic acid uptake and utilization systems while others may also use sialic acid as a cloaking device on their surface to mimic host and avoid immune recognition. This review will focus on these systems in a range of periodontal bacteria with a focus on Ta. forsythia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Stafford
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Jusko M, Potempa J, Karim AY, Ksiazek M, Riesbeck K, Garred P, Eick S, Blom AM. A metalloproteinase karilysin present in the majority of Tannerella forsythia isolates inhibits all pathways of the complement system. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 188:2338-49. [PMID: 22287711 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1101240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia is a poorly studied pathogen despite being one of the main causes of periodontitis, which is an inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth. We found that despite being recognized by all complement pathways, T. forsythia is resistant to killing by human complement, which is present at up to 70% of serum concentration in gingival crevicular fluid. Incubation of human serum with karilysin, a metalloproteinase of T. forsythia, resulted in a decrease in bactericidal activity of the serum. T. forsythia strains expressing karilysin at higher levels were more resistant than low-expressing strains. Furthermore, the low-expressing strain was significantly more opsonized with activated complement factor 3 and membrane attack complex from serum compared with the other strains. The high-expressing strain was more resistant to killing in human blood. The protective effect of karilysin against serum bactericidal activity was attributable to its ability to inhibit complement at several stages. The classical and lectin complement pathways were inhibited because of the efficient degradation of mannose-binding lectin, ficolin-2, ficolin-3, and C4 by karilysin, whereas inhibition of the terminal pathway was caused by degradation of C5. Interestingly, karilysin was able to release biologically active C5a peptide in human plasma and induce migration of neutrophils. Importantly, we detected the karilysin gene in >90% of gingival crevicular fluid samples containing T. forsythia obtained from patients with periodontitis. Taken together, the newly characterized karilysin appears to be an important virulence factor of T. forsythia and might have several important implications for immune evasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Jusko
- Section of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Wade WG. Has the use of molecular methods for the characterization of the human oral microbiome changed our understanding of the role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease? J Clin Periodontol 2011; 38 Suppl 11:7-16. [PMID: 21323699 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.2010.01679.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only around half of oral bacteria can be grown in the laboratory using conventional culture methods. Molecular methods based on 16S rRNA gene sequence are now available and are being used to characterize the periodontal microbiota in its entirety. AIM This review describes the cultural characterization of the oral and periodontal microbiotas and explores the influence of the additional data now available from culture-independent molecular analyses on current thinking on the role of bacteria in periodontitis. RESULTS Culture-independent molecular analysis of the periodontal microbiota has shown it to be far more diverse than previously thought. A number of species including some that have yet to be cultured are as strongly associated with disease as those organisms traditionally regarded as periodontal pathogens. Sequencing of bacterial genomes has revealed a high degree of intra-specific genetic diversity. CONCLUSIONS The use of molecular methods for the characterization of the periodontal microbiome has greatly expanded the range of bacterial species known to colonize this habitat. Understanding the interactions between the human host and its commensal bacterial community at the functional level is a priority.
Collapse
|
41
|
Niwa D, Nishikawa K, Nakamura H. A hybrid two-component system of Tannerella forsythia affects autoaggregation and post-translational modification of surface proteins. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2011; 318:189-96. [PMID: 21385202 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02256.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia is a Gram-negative oral anaerobe closely associated with both periodontal and periapical diseases. The ORF TF0022 of strain ATCC 43037 encodes a hybrid two-component system consisting of an N-terminal histidine kinase and a C-terminal response regulator. Disruption of the TF0022 locus enhanced autoaggregation of the broth-cultured cells. Comparative proteome analyses revealed that two S-layer proteins in the TF0022 mutant exhibited decreased apparent masses by denaturing gel electrophoresis, suggesting a deficiency in post-translational modification. Furthermore, the mutant decreased the production of a glycosyltransferase encoded by TF1061 that is located in a putative glycosylation-related gene cluster. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed reduced transcription of TF1061 and the associated genes in the TF0022 mutant. These results indicate that TF0022 upregulates the expression of the glycosylation-related genes and suggest modulation of the autoaggregation of T. forsythia cells by a possible post-translational modification of cell-surface components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Niwa
- Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Tian Y, He X, Torralba M, Yooseph S, Nelson KE, Lux R, McLean JS, Yu G, Shi W. Using DGGE profiling to develop a novel culture medium suitable for oral microbial communities. Mol Oral Microbiol 2011; 25:357-67. [PMID: 20883224 DOI: 10.1111/j.2041-1014.2010.00585.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
More than 700 bacterial species have been detected in the human oral cavity. They form highly organized microbial communities and are responsible for many oral infectious diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal disease. The prevention and treatment of these diseases require a comprehensive knowledge of oral microbial communities, which largely relies on culture-dependent methods to provide detailed phenotypic and physiological analysis of these communities. However, most of the currently available laboratory media can only selectively support the growth of a limited number of bacterial species within these communities, and fail to sustain the original oral microbial diversity. In this study, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) as an index to systematically survey and analyse the selectivity of commonly used laboratory media, we developed a new medium (SHI medium) by combining the ingredients of several selected media that can support different subpopulations within the original oral microbial community derived from pooled saliva. DGGE and 454 pyrosequencing analysis showed that SHI medium was capable of supporting a more diversified community with a microbial profile closer to that of the original oral microbiota. Furthermore, 454 pyrosequencing revealed that SHI medium supported the growth of many oral species that have not before been cultured. Crystal violet assay and the confocal laser scanning microscope analysis indicated that, compared with other media, SHI medium is able to support a more complex saliva-derived biofilm with higher biomass yield and more diverse species. This DGGE-guided method could also be used to develop novel media for other complex microbial communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Tian
- Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
Molecular ecology methods are now well established for the culture-independent characterization of complex bacterial communities associated with various environmental and animal habitats and are revealing the extent of their diversity. By comparison, it has become clear that only a small minority of microorganisms are readily cultivated in vitro, with the majority of all bacteria remaining 'unculturable' using standard methods. Yet, it is only through the isolation of bacterial species in pure culture that they may be fully characterized, both for their physiological and pathological properties. Hence, the endeavour to devise novel cultivation methods for microorganisms that appear to be inherently resistant to artificial culture is a most important one. This minireview discusses the possible reasons for 'unculturability' and evaluates advances in the cultivation of previously unculturable bacteria from complex bacterial communities. Methods include the use of dilute nutrient media particularly suited for the growth of bacteria adapted to oligotrophic conditions, and the provision of simulated natural environmental conditions for bacterial culture. This has led to the recovery of 'unculturables' from soil and aquatic environments, likely to be due to the inclusion of essential nutrients and/or signalling molecules from the native environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia R Vartoukian
- King's College London Dental Institute, Infection Research Group, London, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
A novel sialic acid utilization and uptake system in the periodontal pathogen Tannerella forsythia. J Bacteriol 2010; 192:2285-93. [PMID: 20190043 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00079-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tannerella forsythia is a key contributor to periodontitis, but little is known of its virulence mechanisms. In this study we have investigated the role of sialic acid in biofilm growth of this periodontal pathogen. Our data show that biofilm growth of T. forsythia is stimulated by sialic acid, glycolyl sialic acid, and sialyllactose, all three of which are common sugar moieties on a range of important host glycoproteins. We have also established that growth on sialyllactose is dependent on the sialidase of T. forsythia since the sialidase inhibitor oseltamivir suppresses growth on sialyllactose. The genome of T. forsythia contains a sialic acid utilization locus, which also encodes a putative inner membrane sialic acid permease (NanT), and we have shown this is functional when it is expressed in Escherichia coli. This genomic locus also contains a putatively novel TonB-dependent outer membrane sialic acid transport system (TF0033-TF0034). In complementation studies using an Escherichia coli strain devoid of its outer membrane sialic acid transporters, the cloning and expression of the TF0033-TF0034 genes enabled an E. coli nanR nanC ompR strain to utilize sialic acid as the sole carbon and energy source. We have thus identified a novel sialic acid uptake system that couples an inner membrane permease with a TonB-dependent outer membrane transporter, and we propose to rename these novel sialic acid uptake genes nanO and nanU, respectively. Taken together, these data indicate that sialic acid is a key growth factor for this little-characterized oral pathogen and may be key to its physiology in vivo.
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
Periodontitis and caries are infectious diseases of the oral cavity in which oral biofilms play a causative role. Moreover, oral biofilms are widely studied as model systems for bacterial adhesion, biofilm development, and biofilm resistance to antibiotics, due to their widespread presence and accessibility. Despite descriptions of initial plaque formation on the tooth surface, studies on mature plaque and plaque structure below the gum are limited to landmark studies from the 1970s, without appreciating the breadth of microbial diversity in the plaque. We used fluorescent in situ hybridization to localize in vivo the most abundant species from different phyla and species associated with periodontitis on seven embedded teeth obtained from four different subjects. The data showed convincingly the dominance of Actinomyces sp., Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Spirochaetes, and Synergistetes in subgingival plaque. The latter proved to be new with a possibly important role in host-pathogen interaction due to its localization in close proximity to immune cells. The present study identified for the first time in vivo that Lactobacillus sp. are the central cells of bacterial aggregates in subgingival plaque, and that Streptococcus sp. and the yeast Candida albicans form corncob structures in supragingival plaque. Finally, periodontal pathogens colonize already formed biofilms and form microcolonies therein. These in vivo observations on oral biofilms provide a clear vision on biofilm architecture and the spatial distribution of predominant species.
Collapse
|
46
|
Vartoukian SR, Palmer RM, Wade WG. Cultivation of a Synergistetes strain representing a previously uncultivated lineage. Environ Microbiol 2010; 12:916-28. [PMID: 20074237 PMCID: PMC2916210 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2009.02135.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Subgingival plaque samples obtained from human subjects with periodontitis, shown to include previously uncultivable members of the phylum Synergistetes, were used to inoculate Cooked Meat Medium (CMM). The presence of Cluster A (uncultivable) Synergistetes was monitored by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and quantitative PCR (Q-PCR). Cluster A Synergistetes were found to grow in CMM in co-culture with other plaque bacteria and growth was stimulated by the addition of mucin and serum. Plaque samples were also used to inoculate Blood Agar (BA) plates and growth of Cluster A Synergistetes was revealed after anaerobic incubation, by colony hybridization with specific probes. Surface growth on the plates in regions identified by colony hybridization was harvested and used to inoculate fresh plates, thus enriching for Cluster A Synergistetes. Cross-streaks of other plaque bacteria were also used to stimulate Synergistetes growth. In the early passages, no discrete Synergistetes colonies were seen, but after eight passages and the use of cross-streaks of other bacteria present in the enriched community, colonies arose, which consisted solely of Cluster A Synergistetes cells, as determined by 16S rRNA gene PCR and cloning. This is the first report of the successful culture of a member of the uncultivable branch of this phylum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S R Vartoukian
- King's College London Dental Institute, Infection Research Group, Guy's Campus, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
McBain AJ, Madhwani T, Eatough J, Ledder R. An introduction to probiotics for dental health. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1616/1476-2137.15748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
48
|
Morikawa M, Chiba T, Tomii N, Sato S, Takahashi Y, Konishi K, Numabe Y, Iwata K, Imai K. Comparative analysis of putative periodontopathic bacteria by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. J Periodontal Res 2008; 43:268-74. [PMID: 18447853 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.2007.01025.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been applied for the rapid and specific detection of periodontopathic bacteria in subgingival plaque and is potentially of clinical benefit in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis subjects. However, several technical points need to be modified before the conventional PCR detection system can be used by clinicians. MATERIAL AND METHODS To develop a PCR-based technique more applicable for clinical use than conventional PCR, we established a multiplex PCR for five putative periodontopathic (Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia and Tannerella forsythia) and two nonperiodontopathic (Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus salivarius) species of bacteria using whole-plaque suspension as templates, and detected bacteria in subgingival plaque taken from 85 subjects at the supportive periodontal therapy stage after active periodontal treatments. RESULTS Among putative periodontopathic bacteria, the detection frequency of T. denticola and P. gingivalis was elevated in parallel with higher probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss, and had 4.2-14.1 times increasing odds of the clinical parameters tested. Detection of any of the five species of putative periodontopathic bacteria markedly increased the odds ratio of a higher probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and bleeding on probing. CONCLUSION The multiplex PCR system developed in this study enabled the detection of all the bacteria under investigation in one reaction tube in a less time- and labor-intensive manner than conventional PCR. These results support the potential clinical use of multiplex PCR for detecting periodontopathic bacteria and for evaluating therapeutic strategies and predicting the prognosis for each subject.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Morikawa
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Dentistry, Nippon Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Sakakibara J, Nagano K, Murakami Y, Higuchi N, Nakamura H, Shimozato K, Yoshimura F. Loss of adherence ability to human gingival epithelial cells in S-layer protein-deficient mutants of Tannerella forsythensis. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2007; 153:866-876. [PMID: 17322207 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.29275-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Tannerella forsythensis, one of the important pathogens in periodontal disease, has a typical surface layer (S-layer) consisting of regularly arrayed subunits outside the outer membrane. The S-layer in T. forsythensis is suggested to be associated with haemagglutinating activity, adhesion and invasion of host cells; however, its precise functions have been unknown. ORFs encoding the major S-layer proteins (230 and 270 kDa) of T. forsythensis ATCC 43037, tfsA and tfsB, respectively, following the names in a recent report [Lee, S.-W., Sabet, M., Um, H. S., Yang, L., Kim, H. C. & Zhu, W. (2006). Gene 371, 102-111] were determined. To verify the function of the S-layer proteins, three mutants with tfsA, tfsB, or both deleted were successfully constructed by a PCR-based overlapping method. S-layer proteins were completely lost in the double mutant. The single-deletion mutants appeared to lose one of the 230 and 270 kDa proteins. Thin-section microscopy clearly revealed that the 230 and 270 kDa proteins composed the S-layer. Although the S-layer proteins may be weakly related to haemagglutinating activity, these proteins were highly responsible for adherence to human gingival epithelial cells (Ca9-22) and KB cells. These results suggest that the S-layer proteins in T. forsythensis play an important role in the initiation stage of oral infection including periodontal disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junpei Sakakibara
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery II, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8650, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8650, Japan
| | - Keiji Nagano
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8650, Japan
| | - Yukitaka Murakami
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8650, Japan
| | - Naoya Higuchi
- Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8650, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nakamura
- Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8650, Japan
| | - Kazuo Shimozato
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery II, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8650, Japan
| | - Fuminobu Yoshimura
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8650, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Maiden MFJ, Pham C, Kashket S. Glucose toxicity effect and accumulation of methylglyoxal by the periodontal anaerobe Bacteroides forsythus. Anaerobe 2007; 10:27-32. [PMID: 16701497 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2003.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2002] [Revised: 12/02/2003] [Accepted: 12/05/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Growth of the periodontal pathogen Bacteroides forsythus in broth cultures showed inhibition in the presence of 10mM glucose added to the medium. Glucose inhibition in a number of rumen bacteria has been attributed to the accumulation of methylglyoxal (MG), a highly reactive electrophile known to exhibit cytotoxic effects. HPLC analysis revealed elevated concentrations of MG in cultures of seven strains of B. forsythus. MG rose during growth to a maximum at the time of growth inhibition. Maximum MG concentrations for strain ATCC 43037 were 60.6+/-8.2 microM without added glucose, and 185.5+/-21.5 microM (P<0.014) with 10mM added glucose. Other strains gave values ranging from 24-91 microM and 100-326 microM MG, respectively. Both free and reversibly bound MG were detected in the bacterial cells and in the cell-free culture fluid. Disk sensitivity tests indicated that three B. forsythus strains exhibited different sensitivities to growth inhibition by added MG. Altogether, the results demonstrated the production and accumulation by B. forsythus of high levels of MG in vitro. MG accumulation appears to be related to the marked auto-inhibitory glucose-toxicity effect observed with B. forsythus strains, an effect that must be considered in the design of optimal media for the culture of this fastidious species. In the diseased periodontal pocket, production of the highly reactive, cytotoxic MG by B. forsythus may contribute significantly to disease pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark F J Maiden
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Forsyth Institute, 140 Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|