Novel bacterial proteolytic and metabolic activity associated with dental erosion-induced oral dysbiosis

Abstract

Background Dental erosion is a disease of the oral cavity where acids cause a loss of tooth enamel and is defined as having no bacterial involvement. The tooth surface is protected from acid attack by salivary proteins that make up the acquired enamel pellicle (AEP). Bacteria have been shown to readily degrade salivary proteins, and some of which are present in the AEP. This study aimed to explore the role of bacteria in dental erosion using a multi-omics approach by comparing saliva collected from participants with dental erosion and healthy controls. Results Salivary proteomics was assessed by liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and demonstrated two altered AEP proteins in erosion, prolactin inducible protein (PIP), and zinc-alpha-2 glycoprotein (ZAG). Immunoblotting further suggested that degradation of PIP and ZAG is associated with erosion. Salivary microbiome analysis was performed by sequencing the bacterial 16S rRNA gene (V1-V2 region, Illumina) and showed that participants with dental erosion had a significantly (p < 0.05) less diverse microbiome than healthy controls (observed and Shannon diversity). Sequencing of bacterial mRNA for gene expression (Illumina sequencing) demonstrated that genes over-expressed in saliva from erosion participants included H + proton transporter genes, and three protease genes (msrAB, vanY, and ppdC). Salivary metabolomics was assessed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR). Metabolite concentrations correlated with gene expression, demonstrating that the dental erosion group had strong correlations between metabolites associated with protein degradation and amino acid fermentation. Conclusions We conclude that microbial proteolysis of salivary proteins found in the protective acquired enamel pellicle strongly correlates with dental erosion, and we propose four novel microbial genes implicated in this process.

Sex-based influential factors for dental caries in patients with schizophrenia

“…Long-term and high-dose use of antipsychotic medication in patients with schizophrenia may lead to the emergence of cariogenic bacterial resistance, such as a noticeable increase in gut lactobacilli levels after 24 weeks of risperidone treatment in first-episode schizophrenia patients [ 76 ]. Antipsychotic drugs can increase prolactin levels, and the degradation of prolactin inducible protein is correlated with caries [ 77 ]. In addition, antipsychotic drugs may reduce the number of white blood cells [ 78 ], disrupt the endocrine system [ 79 ], and lead to vitamin deficiency, reducing the immune response of the oral cavity and leaving the body susceptible to pathogenic microorganisms.…”

Periodontal diseases and tooth wear in sheep flocks in the State of Goiás, Brazil

“…In contrast, tooth wear is characterized by the loss of the clinical dental crown and can occur due to repetitive mechanical contact between the teeth, chemical agents present in saliva and diet, and, possibly, the microbial action in the proteolysis of the acquired pellicle (Cleaver et al 2023). Both diseases co-occur in ruminants (Campello et al 2019) and result in impairment of the masticatory and rumination process, with consequent weight loss and eventual death from starvation (Dutra et al 2000, Pugh 2004).…”