Symbiotic relationship between Prevotella denticola and Streptococcus mutans enhances virulence of plaque biofilms

This study aimed to explore that whether interactions between Prevotella denticola and Streptococcus mutans could promote the establishment of hypervirulent biofilms on teeth surface and eventually influence the occurrence and development of caries.

Based on single-species biofilms of either P. denticola or S. mutans, and dual-species biofilms of both bacteria, we compared the virulence properties associated with cariogenicity in vitro, including carbohydrate metabolism and acid productivity, synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides, biomass and architecture of biofilms, level of enamel demineralization and expression of virulence genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism and adhesion in S. mutans.

The data demonstrated that, compared to single-species of above two taxa, dual-species produced lactate by metabolizing carbohydrates at a higher level during the observation period. Moreover, dual-species biofilms accrued more biomass and exhibited more dense microcolonies and abundant extracellular matrix. And it's noticeable that the level of enamel demineralization in dual-species biofilms was more augmented than that of single-species. In addition, the presence of P. denticola induced the expression of virulence genes gtfs and gbpB in S. mutans.

Symbiotic relationship between P. denticola and S. mutans enhances caries-associated virulence of plaque biofilms, which might provide new strategies for effective prevention and treatment of caries.