Ability of Streptococcus mutans and a Glucosyltransferase-Defective Mutant to Colonize Rodents and Attach to Hydroxyapatite Surfaces

Abstract

A mutant of Streptococcus mutans forming little or no cell-associated glucosyltransferase attached to the teeth of rats and to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite comparably to its parent.

Adsorption of salivary and serum proteins, and bacterial adherence on titanium and zirconia ceramic surfaces

“…However, the electrophoretic patterns of proteins in saliva and saliva+serum pellicles formed on each of the materials was similar, which could explain, in part, the lack of detectable differences in the number of S. mutans cells on these surfaces. In addition, saliva coating may reduce the surface‐free energy of the underlying materials, thereby, decreasing the binding affinity of S. mutans to these surfaces (Weerkamp et al 1985; Quyrinen & Bollen 1995; Ahn et al 2002); the presence of salivary pellicle clearly decreased the number of S. mutans cells attached to apatitic surface confirming previous observations by Clark et al (1978). In addition, serum proteins, such as albumin may affect the adherence of oral bacteria to the tooth surface in close proximity to the gingival crevice (Carlen et al 2003).…”

Inhibition of adsorption of Streptococcus mutans strains to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite by galactose and certain amines

“…Low-molecularweight dextran, which binds to these components on S. mutans cells (17) but is too small to induce their agglutination (5), did not inhibit adsorption of any strain to S-HA (Table 1). This suggests that cell-associated dextran, glucosyltransferase, and glucan-binding protein do not play a significant role in the attachment of the organism to S-HA; this is consistent with previous reports (2,3).…”

Interactions between human serum proteins and oral streptococci reveal occurrence of receptors for aggregated beta 2-microglobulin

“…the host seem to govern the outcome of a possible adherence (11). Various nonimmune interactions, termed short circuits because of their seemingly irrational crossing of normal biological pathways (Kronvall et al, in press), might interfere with adherence mechanisms.…”

“…We cannot exclude the possibility that antibodies and other protein substances with ability to short-circuit reactions can be of importance for bacterial colonization. This is particularly true for dental plaque formation, since it is known that dextran production by itself does not give adherence to tooth surfaces (11). To obtain a base for further discussions, we have studied to what extent a number of oral bacteria react with certain human proteins and immunoglobulins which are found in the oral fluid.…”