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Bacterial adsorption to fetuin and mucin pellicle
1Department of Bacteriology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan.
The Journal of Nihon University School of Dentistry
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Bovine fetuin and mucin promote Actinomyces viscosus attachment to hydroxyapatite beads. Human saliva, however, proved more effective, suggesting novel assay systems for studying bacterial adhesion mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Dental Research
Background:
- Bacterial adhesion to surfaces is crucial for colonization and infection.
- Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a primary component of tooth enamel, making it a relevant model for oral bacteria.
- Actinomyces viscosus is an oral bacterium implicated in dental plaque formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of bovine fetuin and mucin in the adhesion of Actinomyces viscosus to HA beads.
- To compare the efficacy of fetuin and mucin in promoting bacterial attachment with a human saliva control.
- To evaluate novel bacterial adhesion assay systems for mechanistic studies.
Main Methods:
- Hydroxyapatite (HA) beads were treated with bovine fetuin or bovine mucin.
- Preparations were blocked with bovine serum albumin.
- Adsorption of glycoproteins to HA beads was quantified using radiolabeled fetuin and mucin.
- Attachment of [3H] thymidine-labeled Actinomyces viscosus strains to treated HA beads was measured.
- Dose-dependency of attachment was assessed for different bacterial strains and glycoproteins.
Main Results:
- Fetuin and mucin adsorbed to HA beads, with mucin showing higher adsorption capacity.
- Both fetuin and mucin promoted the attachment of Actinomyces viscosus to HA beads.
- Human whole saliva demonstrated superior promotion of A. viscosus attachment compared to fetuin or mucin.
- Attachment to fetuin-treated HA beads was dose-dependent for most strains, while mucin-treated HA beads showed dose-dependent attachment for all tested strains.
- Additional A. viscosus strains (B 236 and B 25) also exhibited enhanced attachment in the presence of these glycoproteins.
Conclusions:
- Bovine fetuin and mucin can serve as substrates promoting Actinomyces viscosus attachment to hydroxyapatite.
- The developed assay systems utilizing these glycoproteins are potentially valuable for elucidating bacterial adhesion mechanisms.
- Further research using these systems may provide insights into the complex interactions governing oral biofilm formation.