Interaction forces between salivary proteins and Streptococcus mutans with and without antigen I/II
Chun-Ping Xu1, Betsy van de Belt-Gritter, René J B Dijkstra
1Department of Biomedical Engineering (Sector F), University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|August 7, 2007
Summary
Antigen I/II on Streptococcus mutans enhances bacterial adhesion to salivary films through attractive electrostatic forces, particularly at pH 6.8. This protein mediates stronger bacterial attachment, impacting oral biofilm formation.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Biophysics
- Surface science
Background:
- Oral streptococci, including Streptococcus mutans, express antigen I/II surface proteins.
- These proteins mediate specific binding to salivary films, crucial for oral colonization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate interaction forces between salivary proteins and S. mutans strains with and without antigen I/II.
- To correlate these forces with bacterial adhesion to saliva-coated surfaces under flow conditions.
Main Methods:
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to measure interaction forces.
- Parallel plate flow chamber to assess bacterial adhesion to saliva-coated glass.
Main Results:
- Repulsive forces were similar for both strains, increasing at lower pH.
- Adhesion forces at pH 6.8 were significantly stronger for the parent strain (LT11) with antigen I/II compared to the mutant (IB03987).
- LT11 showed higher adhesion numbers to salivary coatings at pH 6.8, with differences diminishing at pH 5.8.
Conclusions:
- Antigen I/II is responsible for increased adhesion of S. mutans to salivary coatings.
- Attractive electrostatic forces involving antigen I/II contribute to enhanced bacterial adhesion.
- Findings highlight the role of antigen I/II in Streptococcus mutans adhesion dynamics in oral environments.
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