title: Calcium fluoride nanoparticles induced suppression of Streptococcus mutans biofilm: an in vitro and in vivo approach.
abstract: Biofilm formation on the tooth surface is the root cause of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Streptococcus mutans is known to produce biofilm which is one of the primary causes of dental caries. Acid production and acid tolerance along with exopolysaccharide (EPS) formation are major virulence factors of S. mutans biofilm. In the current study, calcium fluoride nanoparticles (CaF2-NPs) were evaluated for their effect on the biofilm forming ability of S. mutans in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro studies revealed 89 % and 90 % reduction in biofilm formation and EPS production, respectively. Moreover, acid production and acid tolerance abilities of S. mutans were also reduced considerably in the presence of CaF2-NPs. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images were in accordance with the other results indicating inhibition of biofilm without affecting bacterial viability. The qRT-PCR gene expression analysis showed significant downregulation of various virulence genes (vicR, gtfC, ftf, spaP, comDE) associated with biofilm formation. Furthermore, CaF2-NPs were found to substantially decrease the caries in treated rat groups as compared to the untreated groups in in vivo studies. Scanning electron micrographs of rat's teeth further validated our results. These findings suggest that the CaF2-NPs may be used as a potential antibiofilm applicant against S. mutans and may be applied as a topical agent to reduce dental caries.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
authors.forename: Shatavari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kulshrestha
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
authors.forename: Shakir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
authors.forename: Sadaf
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence in Material Sciences (Nanomaterials), Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
authors.forename: M Ehtisham
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
authors.forename: Lama
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Misba
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India. asad.k@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Asad U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002124:Calcium Fluoride / Q000378:metabolism*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D037521:Virulence Factors; D002124:Calcium Fluoride
keywords: Biofilm; Calcium fluoride nanoparticles; Dental caries; Streptococcus mutans; Virulence factors; qRT-PCR