Abstract
BackgroundThe complications in healthcare systems associated with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms have resulted in an intense search for new effective antimicrobials. Attractive substances from which novel antibiotics may be developed are the bacteriocins. These naturally occurring peptides are generally considered to be safe and efficient at eliminating pathogenic bacteria. Among specific keystone pathogens in periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis is considered to be the most important pathogen in the development and progression of chronic inflammatory disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of different Lactobacillus species and the two-peptide bacteriocin PLNC8 αβ on P. gingivalis.ResultsGrowth inhibition of P. gingivalis was obtained by viable Lactobacillus and culture media from L. plantarum NC8 and 44048, but not L. brevis 30670. The two-peptide bacteriocin from L. plantarum NC8 (PLNC8 αβ) was found to be efficient against P. gingivalis through binding followed by permeabilization of the membranes, using Surface plasmon resonance analysis and DNA staining with Sytox Green. Liposomal systems were acquired to verify membrane permeabilization by PLNC8 αβ. The antimicrobial activity of PLNC8 αβ was found to be rapid (1 min) and visualized by TEM to cause cellular distortion through detachment of the outer membrane and bacterial lysis.ConclusionSoluble or immobilized PLNC8 αβ bacteriocins may be used to prevent P. gingivalis colonization and subsequent pathogenicity, and thus supplement the host immune system against invading pathogens associated with periodontitis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-016-0810-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
The complications in healthcare systems associated with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms have resulted in an intense search for new effective antimicrobials
The two-peptide bacteriocin from L. plantarum NC8, PLNC8 α and β, were purchased from GL Biochem (Shanghai) Ltd, China
This study suggests that Lactobacillus and bacteriocin PLNC8 αβ can be used as an alternative method to antibiotic therapy in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, including periodontitis
Summary
The complications in healthcare systems associated with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms have resulted in an intense search for new effective antimicrobials. Besides the immunomodulatory effects of P. gingivalis, the bacterium is able to form biofilms containing extracellular polymeric substances that provides antibiotic resistance and a niche for long-term survival within the host by evading host immune responses. These biofilms are difficult to treat and conventional methods are still being used to treat patient with periodontitis, including mechanical removal of hard and soft subgingival biofilms, scaling and chemical treatment to control plaque (metallic salts, antibiotics and phenols). We have recently shown that P. gingivalis induces gene expression of angiopoietin 2 in aortic smooth muscle cells, which increases the migration of the cells that is associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis [11]
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