Metatranscriptomic analysis of an in vitro biofilm model reveals strain-specific interactions among multiple bacterial species

Abstract

Interactions among bacteria can affect biofilm properties. Method: Here, we investigated the role of different bacteria in functional dysbiosis of an in vitro polymicrobial subgingival plaque model using both 16S rRNA and metatranscriptomic sequencing. Results: We found that high-virulence Porphyromonas gingivalis W83 had greater effects on the symbiotic species than the low-virulence P. gingivalis ATCC33277, and that Prevotella intermedia exacerbated the effects of W83. P. gingivalis significantly influenced the expression of genes related to metabolic pathways and quorum sensing of commensal oral species in a strain-specific manner. P. intermedia exerted synergistic effects with P. gingivalis W83 but antagonistic effects with strain ATCC33277, which may regulate the expression of virulence factors of P. gingivalis through the clp regulator. Discussion: The interaction networks indicated that the strongest correlation was between Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus mitis, which demonstrated their bridge and cornerstone roles in biofilm. Changes in the expression of genes relating to outer membrane proteins in F. nucleatum indicated that the addition of different bacteria can interfere with the co-adherence among F. nucleatum and other partners. Conclusion: We report here the existence of strain-specific interactions in subgingival plaque, which may enhance our understanding of periodontal micro-ecology and facilitate the development of improved plaque control strategies.

Probiotics alter biofilm formation and the transcription of Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence-associated genes

“…Our data contribute to this discussion, showing that products released by the commensal B. pseudolongum 119 1A may reduce the dysbiosis promoted by strain ATCC 33277 but not by W83. Furthermore, not only P. gingivalis alters the transcription profile of commensals as shown previously [23] but also the ability of commensal lactobacilli and bifidobacteria to alter the transcription profile of P. gingivalis was also dependent on the pathogen strain.…”

“…Interestingly, gene regulation of the two P. gingivalis strains promoted by the probiotics differed under different environmental conditions such as in mono-species and in multi-species biofilms. Recent data reported that P. gingivalis W83 causes a more severe dysbiosis than P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 in a multispecies biofilm model [ 23 ]. On the other hand, transcriptome analysis reported that each strain differed in their ability to modulate the expression S. mitis genes [ 23 ].…”

“…Recent data reported that P. gingivalis W83 causes a more severe dysbiosis than P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 in a multispecies biofilm model [ 23 ]. On the other hand, transcriptome analysis reported that each strain differed in their ability to modulate the expression S. mitis genes [ 23 ]. Our data contribute to this discussion, showing that products released by the commensal B. pseudolongum 119 1A may reduce the dysbiosis promoted by strain ATCC 33277 but not by W83.…”

“…Thus, we aimed to investigate whether Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics would interfere in P. gingivalis biofilm formation, by using mono-and multi-species in vitro models. Since microbial interactions exert a profound effect on gene expression in a strain-specific fashion [23], we also evaluated the effects of probiotics on the transcription profiles of two P. gingivalis strains in biofilms and after gingival epithelial cells co-infection.…”

Fusobacterium Species and Subspecies Differentially Affect the Composition and Architecture of Supra- and Subgingival Biofilms Models

“…We have shown earlier that F. nucleatum growth was significantly enhanced following the late addition of the streptococci when compared to their absence (Ammann et al, 2013). Others have also identified interaction networks between F. nucleatum and Streptococcus mitis (Zhang et al, 2019), or P. gingivalis (Mohammed et al, 2017). Nevertheless, variations depending on the subspecies of F. nucleatum have been rarely taken under consideration.…”