Abstract
The periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans colonizes oral cavity by binding to and invading epithelial cells as well as by participating in biofilms formed on hard surfaces. Aae, an autotransporter protein, is implicated in bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells. Due to the multiple functions of bacterial autotransporter proteins, this study aimed to evaluate the role of aae in A. actinomycetemcomitans ability to adhere to both saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (SHA) and biofilm. An aae null mutant was constructed. Its hydrophobic properties as well as its ability to adhere to epithelial cells, SHA and to form biofilm were evaluated and compared with the parental strain, A. actinomycetemcomitans VT1169. The aae null mutant showed reduced hydrophobicity, as well as decreased binding to SHA and biofilm formation compared to the parental strain. These data suggest that aae mediates A. actinomycetemcomitans adhesion to epithelial cells and may be involved in biofilm formation and interaction with adsorbed salivary proteins.
Highlights
Adhesion of bacteria to host tissues is the first step in the infectious process [1]
The expression of bacterial outer membrane proteins is influenced by both environmental [2] and host factors and has specific interactions with host complementary receptors [3,4]. Changes in these bacterial outer membrane proteins may lead to alterations in hydrophobic properties and result in reduced attachment of bacteria to immobilized salivary proteins adsorbed to tooth surfaces or oral mucosa [5]
Adhesion to KB Cells As expected, the aae- mutant exhibited a marked reduction in adhesion to KB cells compared with the parental strain (p
Summary
Adhesion of bacteria to host tissues is the first step in the infectious process [1]. The expression of bacterial outer membrane proteins is influenced by both environmental [2] and host factors and has specific interactions with host complementary receptors [3,4]. Changes in these bacterial outer membrane proteins may lead to alterations in hydrophobic properties and result in reduced attachment of bacteria to immobilized salivary proteins adsorbed to tooth surfaces or oral mucosa [5]. Adhesive type IV pili mediate Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ability to colonize tooth surface [1]. Ability to adhere to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (SHA) is decreased and requires interaction with salivary proteins [6]. Non-fimbriated variants exhibiting smooth colony morphology may still adhere to epithelial cells and form biofilms mediated by non-fimbrial components [7,8,9,10]
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