Epitopes shared among pioneer oral flora and Streptococcus mutans GbpB

Abstract

The establishment of microorganisms in emerging oral biofilms of humans is likely to be modulated by a constellation of infant, maternal, and microbial factors. We have shown that pioneer microbiota on epithelial surfaces (e.g., Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus salivarius) and initially erupting dental surfaces (e.g., Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus gordonii, and Streptococcus oralis) induce mucosal SIgA antibody in saliva. The resulting immune responses may modulate subsequent colonization of bacteria that later join the oral biofilm (e.g., cariogenic Streptococcus mutans), a speculation supported by the observation that (a) several S. mutans virulence components share MHC Class II binding peptides with pioneer protein homologues, (b) cross-reactive antibody among homologues can be demonstrated and (c) initial S. mutans colonization can apparently be delayed when some of these responses are present a priori.