Journal article
Symbiotic Relationship between Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans Synergizes Virulence of Plaque Biofilms In Vivo
Infection and immunity, Vol.82(5), pp.1968-1981
05/2014
DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00087-14
PMCID: PMC3993459
PMID: 24566629
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans
is often cited as the main bacterial pathogen in dental caries, particularly in early-childhood caries (ECC).
S. mutans
may not act alone;
Candida albicans
cells are frequently detected along with heavy infection by
S. mutans
in plaque biofilms from ECC-affected children. It remains to be elucidated whether this association is involved in the enhancement of biofilm virulence. We showed that the ability of these organisms together to form biofilms is enhanced
in vitro
and
in vivo
. The presence of
C. albicans
augments the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS), such that cospecies biofilms accrue more biomass and harbor more viable
S. mutans
cells than single-species biofilms. The resulting 3-dimensional biofilm architecture displays sizeable
S. mutans
microcolonies surrounded by fungal cells, which are enmeshed in a dense EPS-rich matrix. Using a rodent model, we explored the implications of this cross-kingdom interaction for the pathogenesis of dental caries. Coinfected animals displayed higher levels of infection and microbial carriage within plaque biofilms than animals infected with either species alone. Furthermore, coinfection synergistically enhanced biofilm virulence, leading to aggressive onset of the disease with rampant carious lesions. Our
in vitro
data also revealed that glucosyltransferase-derived EPS is a key mediator of cospecies biofilm development and that coexistence with
C. albicans
induces the expression of virulence genes in
S. mutans
(e.g.,
gtfB
,
fabM
). We also found that
Candida
-derived β1,3-glucans contribute to the EPS matrix structure, while fungal mannan and β-glucan provide sites for GtfB binding and activity. Altogether, we demonstrate a novel mutualistic bacterium-fungus relationship that occurs at a clinically relevant site to amplify the severity of a ubiquitous infectious disease.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Symbiotic Relationship between Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans Synergizes Virulence of Plaque Biofilms In Vivo
- Creators
- Megan L Falsetta - Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USAMarlise I Klein - Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USAPunsiri M Colonne - Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USAKathleen Scott-Anne - Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USAStacy Gregoire - Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USAChia-Hua Pai - Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USAMireya Gonzalez-Begne - Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USAGene Watson - Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USADamian J Krysan - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NewYork, USAWilliam H Bowen - Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USAHyun Koo - Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Infection and immunity, Vol.82(5), pp.1968-1981
- Publisher
- American Society for Microbiology
- DOI
- 10.1128/IAI.00087-14
- PMID
- 24566629
- PMCID
- PMC3993459
- ISSN
- 0019-9567
- eISSN
- 1098-5522
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/2014
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Infectious Disease (Pediatrics)
- Record Identifier
- 9984093349702771
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