[On the relationship between exopolysaccharides and Actinomyces viscosus in biofilms].
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the biofilm structure of Actinomyces viscosus and the spatial distribution of exopolysaccharides in it.


METHODS
The Actinomyces viscosus biofilm was made by allowing bacteria to attach to the cover glass surface. The biofilm structure and exopolysaccharides distribution at 24 hours were stained with Fluorescein, BODIPY and Calcofluor respectively and were visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).


RESULTS
Actinomyces viscosus could attach to glass surface and form a structural biofilm where bacteria were embedded in the EPS glycocalyx polymers, and characteristic microcolonies and channels were taking shape. Bacteria were sparse in the substratum area but crowd in the center. In the biofilm, the distribution of bacteria was consistent with the distribution of exopolysaccharides.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings demonstrate an important role of exopolysaccharides in the process of Actinomyces viscosus biofilm formation.
Hu
Tao
T
West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Ge
Jian-Ping
JP
Xu
Rong-Rong
RR
Yue
Song-Ling
SL
Tan
Hong
H
Zhou
Xue-Dong
XD
D016924:Actinomyces viscosus / Q000502:physiology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms; D003773:Dental Plaque; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial