Functional characteristics of membrane vesicles produced by Streptococcus mitis

Mitis group streptococci (MGS) are the predominant oral bacteria that cause bacteremia and infective endocarditis. Although membrane vesicle (MV) secretion has been reported in Streptococcus pneumoniae among MGSs, comprehensive studies using various streptococcal species are limited. We aimed to determine whether MGS species produce MVs and to examine their biological functions.

MVs were isolated from MGS cultures using density gradient ultracentrifugation. The particle sizes of MVs were measured, and proteins in MVs were identified by liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Effects of MVs on host cells and oral pathogenic bacteria were investigated.

MV production was confirmed in Streptococcus mitis strains NCTC12261, Nm-65, and Nm-76, with particle diameters ranging from 100 to 120 nm. The MVs contained numerous cytoplasmic proteins. The MVs showed internalization into alveolar epithelial cells and induced the production of multiple cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10, in macrophages while suppressing phagocytic activity. In neutrophil-differentiated cells, MVs induced IL-8 but not TNF-α production. MVs from S. pneumoniae TIGR4 and S. mitis Nm-65 inhibited biofilm formation of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

MVs play crucial roles in MGS survival strategies through immune modulation and interspecies competition, contributing to their pathogenicity and host-pathogen interactions.