Salivary mucins: protective functions in relation to their diversity

Amerongen, A. van Nieuw; Bolscher, Jan G. M.; Veerman, E.C.I.

doi:10.1093/glycob/5.8.733

Cited by 160 publications

(109 citation statements)

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“…We can conclude that the latter is most likely because S. mutans attachment and biofilm formation in the presence of MUC5B are significantly decreased at most time points compared to the levels in the presence of methylcellulose. There are at least three potential mechanisms by which MUC5B could protect the surface from bacterial colonization: (i) MUC5B could bind or agglutinate bacteria, which would allow planktonic bacteria to be swept out of the oral cavity with salivary flow but enhance bacterial attachment to surfaces coated with MUC5B (14,25,(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44), (ii) MUC5B could have the opposite effect, where its heterogeneous glycan chains repel bacteria, thereby preventing surface attachment (9,11,(45)(46)(47), or (iii) MUC5B could directly downregulate S. mutans genes involved in attachment and biofilm formation. In our case, it appears that MUC5B is repelling S. mutans and/or directly influencing genetic modifications that protect the glass and hydroxyapatite surfaces from bacterial attachment and biofilm formation.…”

Section: Sucrose Enhances S Mutans Attachment and Biofilm Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salivary Mucins Protect Surfaces from Colonization by Cariogenic Bacteria

Frenkel

Ribbeck

2015

Appl Environ Microbiol

108

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bUnderstanding how the body's natural defenses function to protect the oral cavity from the myriad of bacteria that colonize its surfaces is an ongoing topic of research that can lead to breakthroughs in treatment and prevention. One key defense mechanism on all moist epithelial linings, such as the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs, is a layer of thick, well-hydrated mucus. The main gel-forming components of mucus are mucins, large glycoproteins that play a key role in host defense. This study focuses on elucidating the connection between MUC5B salivary mucins and dental caries, one of the most common oral diseases. Dental caries is predominantly caused by Streptococcus mutans attachment and biofilm formation on the tooth surface. Once S. mutans attaches to the tooth, it produces organic acids as metabolic by-products that dissolve tooth enamel, leading to cavity formation. We utilize CFU counts and fluorescence microscopy to quantitatively show that S. mutans attachment and biofilm formation are most robust in the presence of sucrose and that aqueous solutions of purified human MUC5B protect surfaces by acting as an antibiofouling agent in the presence of sucrose. In addition, we find that MUC5B does not alter S. mutans growth and decreases surface attachment and biofilm formation by maintaining S. mutans in the planktonic form. These insights point to the importance of salivary mucins in oral health and lead to a better understanding of how MUC5B could play a role in cavity prevention or diagnosis. One of the body's key defense mechanisms on wet epithelial linings, such as the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs, is a layer of thick, well-hydrated mucus. The viscoelastic properties of mucus are attributed to mucins, large glycoproteins that play a key role in host defense and maintaining a healthy microbial environment (1-3). Defects in mucin production can lead to diseases such as ulcerative colitis when mucins are underproduced or cystic fibrosis and asthma when mucins are overproduced (4-6). In addition, studies have shown that mucins can interact with microbes, such as Helicobacter pylori, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, and human immunodeficiency virus (7-10). These diseases and microbial interactions highlight the necessity of mucins as one of the body's key natural defenses; however, few studies have focused specifically on the connection between MUC5B salivary mucins and oral diseases. This study fills this gap in understanding by exploring the connection between purified human MUC5B and the virulence of Streptococcus mutans, one of the main cavitycausing bacteria naturally found in the oral cavity (11). MUC7 is another salivary mucin, but MUC5B is the primary mucin component of the dental pellicle coating the soft and hard tissues in the oral cavity (12, 13). Importantly, the effects of MUC5B are characterized in a clinically relevant three-dimensional model that mimics the natural environment in the oral cavity; mucins are secreted into an aqueous phase as opposed to a two-dimensional surfac...

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Section: Sucrose Enhances S Mutans Attachment and Biofilm Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salivary Mucins Protect Surfaces from Colonization by Cariogenic Bacteria

Frenkel

Ribbeck

2015

Appl Environ Microbiol

108

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“…Mucins regulate the lubrication of the mucosal surface, benefiting physiological functions such as mastication, speech, and swallowing. Further, they prevent mucosal desiccation, based on their capacity to retain water (Nieuw Amerongen et al 1995;Humphrey & Williamson, 2001;Sonesson et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of human minor salivary glands: expression of mucins according to stage of morphogenesis

et al. 2011

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The formation of salivary glands entails the proliferation of epithelial cells from the stomatodeum into the underlying ectomesenchyme, culminating in a complex network of ducts and acinar bulbs. The extent to which mucins regulate this process is unknown, but they appear to mediate luminal space formation and maturation. Our aim was to examine mucin expression patterns during the morphogenesis of human salivary glands. Mucin expression -MUC1, 2, 3, 4, 5AC, 5B, 6, and 16 -was analyzed in specimens of developing human salivary glands, obtained from fetuses at 4-24 weeks' gestation, and fully developed salivary glands by immunohistochemistry. Expression patterns were analyzed qualitatively according to the development stage of the salivary glands. Mucins 1, 3, 4, 5B, and 16 were expressed during salivary gland development -being stronger in all ductal segments by the final phases of branching morphogenesis and in mature glands. Acinar cells were negative for most mucins, including MUC1 in mature salivary glands. Mucins 2, 5AC, and 6 were not expressed. Mucins MUC1, 3, 4, 5B, and 16 are expressed in developing human salivary glands and in mature glands, suggesting important roles in the maturation and maintenance of the ductal network.

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“…Among these bacteria were three strains of viridans streptococci (ie, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus gordonii, and Streptococcus mitis), which are a prominent group of bacteria in the dental plaque (32). These bacteria bind a broad spectrum of secretory proteins, such as MUC7, lactoferrin, and ␣-amylase, although the specific capacity to bind certain secretory proteins may vary from one species to another (24,35,36). Another bacterium tested was Helicobacter pylori, the causative agent of gastric and duodenal ulcers for which the oral cavity may act as a portal of entry.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress as a Determinant of Saliva-Mediated Adherence and Coadherence of Oral and Nonoral Microorganisms

Bosch

Turkenburg

Nazmi

et al. 2003

Psychosomatic Medicine

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Objective: The mucosal secretory proteins, such as the salivary proteins, play a key role in the acquisition and regulation of the mucosal microflora. Most notably, some microorganisms utilize the host's secretory proteins to adhere to the mucosa; a first step in colonization and infection. The secretory proteins also influence colonization by affecting the binding among microorganisms, a process denoted as coadherence. Previously we reported that acute stressors cause specific changes in saliva composition. The present study investigated to what extent these changes influence saliva-mediated microbial adherence and coadherence (ex vivo). Methods: Thirty-two male undergraduates provided unstimulated saliva before and during a control condition and two stressors: A memory test and a surgery video presentation. We used saliva-coated microplates to test the adherence of bacteria for which the oral cavity is either a natural reservoir (eg, viridans streptococci) or a portal of entry (eg, Helicobacter pylori). We also tested the saliva-mediated co-adherence between Streptococcus gordonii and the yeast Candida albicans. Correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationships between changes in microbial adherence and the concentrations of potential salivary ligands, viz. cystatin S, the mucins MUC5B and MUC7, S-IgA, lactoferrin, ␣-amylase, and total salivary protein. Results: During the memory test, saliva-mediated adhesion of Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus gordonii, and H. pylori increased, whereas the coadherence of C. albicans with S. gordonii decreased. During the surgical video presentation the saliva-mediated adherence of H. pylori, S. sanguis, and Streptococcus mitis increased. These changes were independent of salivary flow rate, but correlated with specific changes in salivary protein composition. Conclusion: The results show that even moderate stressors, by altering the activity of the mucosal secretory glands, may affect microbial colonization processes such as adherence and coadherence. This study hereby presents a mechanism by which stress may affect the mucosal microflora and susceptibility to infectious disease.

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Salivary mucins: protective functions in relation to their diversity

Cited by 160 publications

References 0 publications

Salivary Mucins Protect Surfaces from Colonization by Cariogenic Bacteria

Salivary Mucins Protect Surfaces from Colonization by Cariogenic Bacteria

Development of human minor salivary glands: expression of mucins according to stage of morphogenesis

Stress as a Determinant of Saliva-Mediated Adherence and Coadherence of Oral and Nonoral Microorganisms

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