Salivary mucins protect surfaces from colonization by cariogenic bacteria
Erica Shapiro Frenkel1, Katharina Ribbeck2
1Biological Sciences in Dental Medicine, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|October 26, 2014
Summary
Salivary mucins like MUC5B act as a natural defense against dental caries. This study shows MUC5B prevents Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation, offering potential for cavity prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oral biology
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The oral cavity is protected by natural defenses, including mucus.
- Mucins, like MUC5B, are key components of mucus and host defense.
- Dental caries, caused by Streptococcus mutans, is a common oral disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of MUC5B salivary mucins in the context of dental caries.
- To understand how MUC5B affects Streptococcus mutans attachment and biofilm formation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized CFU counts and fluorescence microscopy.
- Quantified Streptococcus mutans attachment and biofilm formation in the presence of sucrose.
- Assessed the effect of purified human MUC5B on Streptococcus mutans.
Main Results:
- Sucrose enhances Streptococcus mutans attachment and biofilm formation.
- Aqueous solutions of MUC5B act as an antibiofouling agent against Streptococcus mutans in sucrose.
- MUC5B does not affect Streptococcus mutans growth but reduces surface attachment and biofilm formation by keeping bacteria planktonic.
Conclusions:
- Salivary MUC5B plays a significant role in oral health.
- MUC5B demonstrates potential as an antibiofouling agent in the oral cavity.
- These findings contribute to understanding MUC5B's role in cavity prevention and diagnosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
2.9K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
2.9K
01:27The Oral Microbiota
81
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
81
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
52
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
52
01:23Salivary Glands and Saliva
3.0K
The salivary glands, of which there are three pairs known as the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and initiating the digestive process. Positioned near the ears, beneath the masseter muscle, the parotid glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity through the parotid duct of Stensen. Meanwhile, the submandibular glands, located on the floor of the mouth, secrete saliva through channels named submandibular ducts. The sublingual glands,...
3.0K
01:25Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach
2.5K
The gastric glands contain parietal cells that secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) for digestion. The cells secrete HCl because it is highly corrosive and essential for breaking down food. To achieve this, they secrete hydrogen and chloride ions into the lumen of the gastric glands, which combine to form HCl.
Within parietal cells, carbonic acid is first formed through the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The dissociation of carbonic acid releases bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate...
Within parietal cells, carbonic acid is first formed through the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The dissociation of carbonic acid releases bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate...
2.5K
01:26Defense Mechanism Against Infection
9.3K
Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
9.3K