Targeting Pili-Mediated Interactions to Control Dental Plaque Formation

Dental plaque is a complex microbial biofilm that contributes significantly to the onset of oral diseases and related infections. The initial attachment of primary colonizers to the salivary pellicle, which coats the tooth surface, is a critical first step in plaque development. Primary colonizers use pili on their cell surfaces to facilitate attachment to host surfaces and other bacteria. Pili-mediated adhesion and interbacterial coaggregation promote oral biofilm growth. Recent structural studies of primary colonizers and other oral bacteria have provided new insights into the role of pili in dental plaque formation. Understanding the molecular intricacies of pilus assembly and adhesion paves the way for the development of antiadhesive approaches to control dental plaque formation. Disrupting initial bacterial attachment by targeting pili- and pili-mediated interactions may offer a promising strategy to prevent oral biofilm development and associated infections. This review provides updates on pili and pilus components in oral bacteria, with a focus on the primary colonizers of dental plaque from a structural perspective.