GSE129981
Liquid-infused structured titanium surfaces for dental implants: antiadhesive mechanism to repel bacterial biofilms
To combat dental implant-associated infections, there is a need for novel materials which effectively inhibit bacterial biofilm formation. In the present study, a titanium surface functionalization based on the “slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces” (SLIPS) principle was analyzed in an oral flow chamber system. The immobilized liquid layer was stable over 13 days of continuous flow. With increasing flow rates, the surface exhibited a significant reduction in attached biofilm of both the oral initial colonizer Streptococcus oralis and an oral multi-species biofilm composed of S. oralis, Actinomyces naeslundii, Veillonella dispar and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Using single cell force spectroscopy, reduced bacterial adhesion forces on the lubricant layer could be measured. Gene expression patterns in biofilms on SLIPS, on control surfaces and planktonic cultures were also compared. For this purpose, the genome of S. oralis strain ATCC® 9811TM was sequenced using PacBio Sequel technology. Even though biofilm cells showed clear changes in gene expression compared to planktonic cells, no differences could be detected between bacteria on SLIPS and on control surfaces. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ability of liquid-infused titanium to repel biofilms is solely due to weakened bacterial adhesion to the underlying liquid interface. Overall design: Examination of Streptococcus oralis gene expression  in biofilms on SLIPS and titanium control surfaces and in planktonic cultures