Interaction of Oral Anaerobic Bacteria With Extracellular Matrix Proteins

A significant virulence attribute of pathogenic bacteria is the ability to adhere to host tissues. In many instances, the molecular basis for this interaction is unclear, despite the fact that differences could be responsible for determining the nature of subsequent clinical infection. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the ability of bacteria associated with periodontal disease and peri-implantitis to interact with surrounding host tissues and proteins. Methods: A comparative analysis of the adhesion of oral anaerobic bacteria including Porphyromonas gingivalis (n=10) and Prevotella species (n=10) to human collagen type I and type IV, fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin and proline rich peptides was performed using a BIAcore 3000 biosensor. This system uses surface plasmon resonance to monitor real-time interaction between macromolecules. Results: Preliminary data indicates that both inter and intra-species variation occurs in the adhesion of bacteria to extracellular matrix proteins. Adhesion was evident between bacterial strains and fibronectin, collagen type I and type IV. Bacterial interaction with PRPs, laminin and vitronectin also occurred but appeared lower than that with fibronectin. Further studies will examine whether proteins identified as mediating bacterial adherence could promote colonisation in conditions such as peri-implantitis. Conclusion: The BIAcore 3000 provides a novel and effective tool for elucidating microbial interaction with proteins. The data generated should increase our understanding of how putative pathogenic oral bacteria interact with human tissues, and provide an insight into employed virulence mechanisms.