title: Enhanced adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to hydroxyapatite after exposure to saliva.
abstract: Streptococcus mutans cells form robust biofilms on human teeth and are strongly related to caries incidents. Hence, understanding the adhesion of S. mutans in the human oral cavity is of major interest for preventive dentistry. In this study, we report on atomic force microscopy-based single-cell force spectroscopy measurements of S. mutans cells to hydroxyapatite surfaces. We observe for almost all measurements a significant difference in adhesion strength for S. mutans as well as for Staphylococcus carnosus cells. However, the increase in adhesion strength after saliva exposure is much higher for S. mutans cells compared to S. carnosus cells. Our results demonstrate that S. mutans cells are well adapted to their natural environment, the oral cavity. This ability promotes the biofilm-forming capability of that species and hence the production of caries-provoking acids. In consequence, understanding the fundamentals of this mechanism may pave a way towards more effective caries-reducing techniques.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0504-1149
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spengler
authors.affiliation: Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thewes
authors.affiliation: Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany.
authors.forename: Friederike
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nolle
authors.affiliation: Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Faidt
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Saarland University, Homburg, Saarland, Germany.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Umanskaya
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Saarland University, Homburg, Saarland, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hannig
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Homburg, Saarland, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bischoff
authors.affiliation: Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D059010:Single-Cell Analysis; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014070:Tooth / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D017886:Durapatite
keywords: hydroxyapatite, saliva, single-cell force spectroscopy, Streptococcus mutans