Competition and Coexistence between Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis in the Dental Biofilm

ABSTRACT The human mucosal surface is colonized by the indigenous microflora, which normally maintains an ecological balance among different species. Certain environmental or biological factors, however, may trigger disruption of this balance, leading to microbial diseases. In this study, we used two oral bacterial species, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis (formerly S. sanguis), as a model to probe the possible mechanisms of competition/coexistence between different species which occupy the same ecological niche. We show that the two species engage in a multitude of antagonistic interactions temporally and spatially; occupation of a niche by one species precludes colonization by the other, while simultaneous colonization by both species results in coexistence. Environmental conditions, such as cell density, nutritional availability, and pH, play important roles in determining the outcome of these interactions. Genetic and biochemical analyses reveal that these interspecies interactions are possibly mediated through a well-regulated production of chemicals, such as bacteriocins (produced by S. mutans) and hydrogen peroxide (produced by S. sanguinis). Consistent with the phenotypic characteristics, production of bacteriocins and H2O2 are regulated by environmental conditions, as well as by juxtaposition of the two species. These sophisticated interspecies interactions could play an essential part in balancing competition/coexistence within multispecies microbial communities.

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Streptococcal Antagonism in Oral Biofilms: Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii Interference with Streptococcus mutans

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.00276-08 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 190 (13) ◽

pp. 4632-4640 ◽

Cited By ~ 249

Author(s):

Jens Kreth ◽

Yongshu Zhang ◽

Mark C. Herzberg

Keyword(s):

Streptococcus Mutans ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Ecological Factors ◽

Oral Streptococci ◽

Streptococcus Gordonii ◽

Interspecies Interactions ◽

Streptococcus Sanguinis ◽

Production Of Hydrogen ◽

Oral Biofilms ◽

Competence System

ABSTRACT Biofilms are polymicrobial, with diverse bacterial species competing for limited space and nutrients. Under healthy conditions, the different species in biofilms maintain an ecological balance. This balance can be disturbed by environmental factors and interspecies interactions. These perturbations can enable dominant growth of certain species, leading to disease. To model clinically relevant interspecies antagonism, we studied three well-characterized and closely related oral species, Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus sanguinis, and cariogenic Streptococcus mutans. S. sanguinis and S. gordonii used oxygen availability and the differential production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to compete effectively against S. mutans. Interspecies antagonism was influenced by glucose with reduced production of H2O2. Furthermore, aerobic conditions stimulated the competence system and the expression of the bacteriocin mutacin IV of S. mutans, as well as the H2O2-dependent release of heterologous DNA from mixed cultures of S. sanguinis and S. gordonii. These data provide new insights into ecological factors that determine the outcome of competition between pioneer colonizing oral streptococci and the survival mechanisms of S. mutans in the oral biofilm.

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Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis Expression of Competition-Related Genes, Under Sucrose

Caries Research ◽

10.1159/000490950 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 194-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Carla P. Lozano ◽

Natalia Díaz-Garrido ◽

Jens Kreth ◽

Rodrigo A. Giacaman

Keyword(s):

Streptococcus Mutans ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Transcriptional Response ◽

Moderate Increase ◽

Streptococcus Sanguinis ◽

Dental Biofilm ◽

Viable Cells ◽

Oral Environment ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

Sequential Inoculation

Streptococcus mutans synthesizes 3 glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) associated with cariogenic biofilms, while commensal Streptococcus sanguinis produces only one; gtfP and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by SpxB. The aim was to test the hypothesis that under a sucrose-induced cariogenic challenge, the expression of competition-related genes is differentially regulated depending on whether S. sanguinis or S. mutans primarily colonize enamel. Dual-species biofilms of S. sanguinis and S. mutans were formed under different colonization sequences on enamel slabs and exposed to 10% sucrose for 5 min, 3×/day for 5 days. Biofilms were analyzed for the transcriptional response of competition-related genes encoding gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD for S. mutans and gtfP and spxB for S. sanguinis. In addition, acidogenicity (pH) and viable cells in each of the conditions were determined. For all the genes, a downregulation was observed during simultaneous colonization by both bacterial species. In contrast, gtfB was upregulated when S. sanguinis was the first colonizer (p < 0.05). Both gtfC and gtfD were upregulated during sequential inoculation with S. sanguinis as the first colonizer. An eleven-fold upregulation of gtfP was observed in biofilms with S. mutans as initial colonizer (p < 0.05), with a moderate increase in spxB expression. The lowest pH values and viable cells of S. sanguinis were observed when S. mutans first colonized the enamel slabs, compared to the other conditions (p < 0.05). Demanding sucrose-challenged oral environment requires increased expression of virulence traits to effectively compete and thrive in the dental biofilm, especially when the competitor has already colonized the ecological niche.

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Function-adaptive clustered nanoparticles reverse Streptococcus mutans dental biofilm and maintain microbiota balance

Communications Biology ◽

10.1038/s42003-021-02372-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fatemeh Ostadhossein ◽

Parikshit Moitra ◽

Esra Altun ◽

Debapriya Dutta ◽

Dinabandhu Sar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Streptococcus Mutans ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Reactive Oxygen Species Generation ◽

Biofilm Inhibition ◽

16S Rrna Analysis ◽

Dental Biofilm ◽

Dental Plaques

AbstractDental plaques are biofilms that cause dental caries by demineralization with acidogenic bacteria. These bacteria reside inside a protective sheath which makes any curative treatment challenging. We propose an antibiotic-free strategy to disrupt the biofilm by engineered clustered carbon dot nanoparticles that function in the acidic environment of the biofilms. In vitro and ex vivo studies on the mature biofilms of Streptococcus mutans revealed >90% biofilm inhibition associated with the contact-mediated interaction of nanoparticles with the bacterial membrane, excessive reactive oxygen species generation, and DNA fragmentation. An in vivo examination showed that these nanoparticles could effectively suppress the growth of S. mutans. Importantly, 16S rRNA analysis of the dental microbiota showed that the diversity and richness of bacterial species did not substantially change with nanoparticle treatment. Overall, this study presents a safe and effective approach to decrease the dental biofilm formation without disrupting the ecological balance of the oral cavity.

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Competition and Caries on Enamel of a Dual-Species Biofilm Model with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.01262-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 86 (21) ◽

Author(s):

Natalia Díaz-Garrido ◽

Carla P. Lozano ◽

Jens Kreth ◽

Rodrigo A. Giacaman

Keyword(s):

Streptococcus Mutans ◽

Single Species ◽

Viable Count ◽

Noncommunicable Disease ◽

Continuous Exposure ◽

Content Type ◽

Streptococcus Sanguinis ◽

Dental Biofilm ◽

Intense Competition ◽

Dental Surface

ABSTRACT Imbalances within the dental biofilm trigger dental caries, currently considered a dysbiosis and the most prevalent noncommunicable disease. There is still a gap in knowledge about the dynamics of enamel colonization by bacteria from the dental biofilm in caries. The aim, therefore, was to test whether the sequence of enamel colonization by a typically commensal and a cariogenic species modifies biofilm’s cariogenicity. Dual-species biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis on saliva-coated enamel slabs were inoculated in different sequences: S. mutans followed by S. sanguinis (Sm-Ss), S. sanguinis followed by S. mutans (Ss-Sm), S. mutans and S. sanguinis inoculated at the same time (Sm=Ss), and the single-species controls S. mutans followed by S. mutans (Sm-Sm) and S. sanguinis followed by S. sanguinis (Ss-Ss). Biofilms were exposed to 10% sucrose 3 times per day for 5 days, and the slabs/biofilms were retrieved to assess demineralization, viable cells, biomass, proteins, polysaccharides, and H2O2 production. Compared with Sm-Sm, primary inoculation with S. sanguinis reduced demineralization (P < 0.05). Both Ss-Sm and Sm=Ss sequences showed reduction in biomass, protein, and polysaccharide content (P < 0.05). The highest S. sanguinis viable count and H2O2 production level and the lowest acidogenicity were observed when S. sanguinis colonized enamel before S. mutans (P < 0.05). Initial enamel adherence with commensal biofilms seems to induce more intense competition against more typically cariogenic species, reducing cariogenicity. IMPORTANCE The concept of caries as an ecological disease implies the understanding of the intricate relationships among the populating microorganisms. Under frequent sugar exposure, some bacteria from the dental biofilm develop pathogenic traits that lead to imbalances (dysbiosis). Depending on which microorganism colonizes the dental surface first, different competition strategies may be developed. Studying the interactions in the entire dental biofilm is not an easy task. In this study, therefore, we modeled the interplay among these microorganisms using a caries-inducing species (S. mutans) and a health-associated species (S. sanguinis). Initial enamel adherence with S. sanguinis seems to induce more intense competition against typically caries-inducing species. Besides continuous exposure with sugars, early colonization of the enamel by highly cariogenic species like S. mutans appears to be needed to develop caries lesions as well. Promoting early colonization by health-associated bacteria such as S. sanguinis could help to maintain oral health, delaying dysbiosis.

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In Vitro Evaluation of Bacterial Adhesion and Bacterial Viability of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Porphyromonas gingivalis on the Abutment Surface of Titanium and Zirconium Dental Implants

International Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1155/2019/4292976 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ana Stefany Meza-Siccha ◽

Miguel Angel Aguilar-Luis ◽

Wilmer Silva-Caso ◽

Fernando Mazulis ◽

Carolina Barragan-Salazar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dental Implants ◽

Streptococcus Mutans ◽

Porphyromonas Gingivalis ◽

Bacterial Adhesion ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Bacterial Adherence ◽

Bacterial Viability ◽

Streptococcus Sanguinis ◽

Group 2

Objective. To evaluate the in vitro adherence and viability of 3 bacterial species Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Streptococcus sanguinis (ATCC 10556), and Porphyromonas gingivalis (ATCC 33277) on the surfaces of dental implants of titanium, zirconium, and their respective fixing screws. Methods. Two analysis groups were formed: group 1 with 3 titanium pillars and group 2 with 3 zirconium pillars, each with their respective fixing screws. Each of these groups was included in tubes with bacterial cultures of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Streptococcus sanguinis (ATCC 10556), and Porphyromonas gingivalis (ATCC 33277). These samples were incubated at 37°C under anaerobic conditions. Bacterial adherence was assessed by measurement of the change in colony-forming units (CFU), and bacterial viability was evaluated with the colorimetric test of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT). Results. The bacterial adhesion in the titanium abutments was higher for Streptococcus mutans (190.90 CFU/mL), and the viability was greater in Porphyromonas gingivalis (73.22%). The zirconium abutment group showed the highest adherence with Streptococcus mutans (331.82 CFU/mL) and the highest bacterial viability with the S. sanguinis strain (38.42%). The titanium fixation screws showed the highest adhesion with S. sanguinis (132.5 CFU/mL) compared to the zirconium fixation screws where S. mutans had the highest adhesion (145.5 CFU/mL). The bacterial viability of S. mutans was greater both in the titanium fixation screws and in the zirconium fixation screws 78.04% and 57.38%, respectively. Conclusions. Our results indicate that there is in vitro bacterial adherence and viability in both titanium abutments and zirconium abutments and fixation screws for both. Streptococcus mutans is the microorganism that shows the greatest adherence to the surfaces of both titanium and zirconium and the fixing screws of the latter. On the contrary, bacterial viability is greater on the titanium abutments with P. gingivalis than on the zirconium abutments with S. sanguinis. With respect to the fixation screws, in both cases, the viability of S. mutans was greater with respect to the other bacteria. In general, the titanium abutments showed less adherence but greater bacterial viability.

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Competition and Caries on Enamel of a Dual-species Biofilm Model of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis

10.1101/2020.05.28.122697 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Natalia Díaz-Garrido ◽

Carla P. Lozano ◽

Jens Kreth ◽

Rodrigo A. Giacaman

Keyword(s):

Streptococcus Mutans ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Single Species ◽

Continuous Exposure ◽

Streptococcus Sanguinis ◽

Dental Biofilm ◽

Intense Competition ◽

Viable Cells ◽

Dental Surface ◽

Associated Species

AbstractImbalances within the dental biofilm trigger dental caries, currently considered a dysbiosis and the most prevalent non-communicable disease. There is still a gap in knowledge about the dynamics of enamel colonization by bacteria from the dental biofilm in caries. The aim, therefore, was to test whether the sequence of enamel colonization by a typically commensal and a cariogenic species modifies biofilm’s cariogenicity. Dual-species biofilms of Streptococcus mutans (Sm) and Streptococcus sanguinis (Ss) on saliva-coated enamel slabs were inoculated in different sequences: Sm followed by Ss (Sm-Ss), Ss followed by Sm (Ss-Sm), Sm and Ss inoculated at the same time (Sm=Ss) and the single-species controls Sm followed by Sm (Sm-Sm) and Ss followed by Ss (Ss-Ss). Biofilms were exposed to 10% sucrose, 3x/day for 5 days and the slabs/biofilms were retrieved to assess demineralization, viable cells, biomass, proteins, polysaccharides and H2O2 production. When compared with Sm-Sm, primary inoculation with Ss reduced demineralization (p<0.05). Both Ss-Sm and Sm=Ss sequences showed reduction in biomass, protein and polysaccharide content (p<0.05). The highest S. sanguinis viable cells and H2O2 production and the lowest acidogenicity were observed when Ss colonized enamel before Sm (p<0.05). Initial enamel adherence with commensal biofilms seems to induce more intense competition against more typically cariogenic species, reducing cariogenicity.ImportanceThe concept of caries as an ecological disease implies the understanding of the intricate relationships among the populating microorganisms. Under frequent sugars exposure, some the bacteria from the oral biofilm develop pathogenic traits that lead to oral imbalances, known as dysbiosis. Depending on which microorganism colonizes the dental surface first, different competition strategies may be developed. Since the study of the interactions in the entire dental biofilm is not an easy task, in this article we model the interplay among these microorganisms using a caries-inducing (S. mutans) and a health-associated species (S. sanguinis). Initial enamel adherence with S. sanguinis seems to induce more intense competition against more typically caries-inducing species. Besides continuous exposure with sugars, early colonization of the enamel by highly cariogenic species, like S. mutans, appears to be needed to develop caries lesions, as well. Promoting early colonization by health-associated bacteria, such as S. sanguinis, could help maintaining oral health, delaying dysbiosis.

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Streptococcus sanguinis as an opportunistic bacteria in human oral cavity: Adherence, colonization, and invasion

Padjadjaran Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.24198/pjd.vol28no1.13515 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hening Tjaturina Pramesti

Keyword(s):

Cell Wall ◽

Oral Cavity ◽

Acid Synthesis ◽

Human Tooth ◽

Tooth Surface ◽

Interspecies Interactions ◽

Streptococcus Sanguinis ◽

Dental Biofilm ◽

Human Oral Cavity ◽

Opportunistic Bacteria

Streptococcus sanguinis (formerly S. sanguis) is a Gram-positive, facultative anaerobe, nonmotile , normal inhabitant of the human oral cavity, and a member of the viridans group of streptococci. Among the streptococcus, S. sanguinis is a primary colonizer in the human tooth surface or it is recognize as a ‘pioneer’ by forming dental plaque. The aim of this paper is to review the role of Streptococcus sanguinis in the adherence to and invasion of human tissues. S. sanguinis has been reported that it is associated with healthy tooth surfaces but not with caries. S. sanguinis tend to involved in an interspecies interactions with Streptococcus mutans, which is known as competition/coexistence within dental biofilm. In their colonization, this bacteria used enzyme sortase A (SrtA) to cleave LPXTG-containing proteins sequence and anchored the cell wall, while virulence factors in infective endocarditis involved housekeeping functions such as cell wall synthesis, amino acid and nucleic acid synthesis, and the ability to survive under anaerobic conditions.

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