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Author Spotlight: Investigating Bacteriophage-Induced Immune Responses in Gnotobiotic Mice
Published on: January 26, 2024
Mucosal Environment Induces Phage Susceptibility in Streptococcus mutans
Lotta-Riina Sundberg1, Noora Rantanen1, Gabriel Magno de Freitas Almeida2
1Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Abstract:
Pathogenic bacteria are attracted toward mucosa, as it is their way of entry into the body. However, we know surprisingly little about the phage-bacterium interactions in the mucosal environment. Here, we explored the effect of the mucosal environment on growth characteristics and phage-bacterium interactions in Streptococcus mutans, a causative agent of dental caries. We found that although mucin supplementation increased bacterial growth and survival, it decreased S. mutans biofilm formation. More importantly, the presence of mucin had a significant effect on S. mutans phage susceptibility. In two experiments done in Brain Heart Infusion Broth, phage M102 replication was detected only with 0.2% mucin supplementation. In 0.1 × Tryptic Soy Broth, 0.5% mucin supplementation led to a 4-log increase in phage titers compared with the control. These results suggest that the mucosal environment can have a major role in the growth, phage sensitivity, and phage resistance of S. mutans, and underline the importance of understanding the effect of mucosal environment on phage-bacterium interactions.
Insights
The mucosal environment significantly impacts Streptococcus mutans growth and phage interactions. Mucin supplementation boosted bacterial survival but reduced biofilm formation and altered phage susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Virology
Background:
- Pathogenic bacteria utilize mucosal surfaces for host entry.
- Understanding phage-bacterium interactions within mucosal environments is crucial but limited.
- Streptococcus mutans, a key player in dental caries, is a relevant model organism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of the mucosal environment on Streptococcus mutans growth characteristics.
- To analyze how the mucosal environment affects phage-bacterium interactions with S. mutans.
- To determine the role of mucin in S. mutans growth, biofilm formation, and phage susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Supplementation of bacterial growth media with mucin.
- Assessment of Streptococcus mutans growth, survival, and biofilm formation.
- Quantification of phage M102 replication and titers in the presence of mucin.
Main Results:
- Mucin supplementation enhanced S. mutans growth and survival.
- Mucin decreased S. mutans biofilm formation.
- Mucin significantly altered S. mutans phage susceptibility, with increased phage replication observed under specific conditions.
Conclusions:
- The mucosal environment plays a critical role in modulating S. mutans growth and phage interactions.
- Mucin influences bacterial behavior and phage sensitivity, impacting potential phage therapy efficacy.
- Further research into mucosal environment effects on phage-bacterium dynamics is essential.
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