Skip to main content
PMC home page
Infection and Immunity logoLink to Infection and Immunity
. 1980 Sep;29(3):981–989. doi: 10.1128/iai.29.3.981-989.1980

Attachment of Actinomyces naeslundii to human buccal epithelial cells.

J M Saunders, C H Miller
PMCID: PMC551227  PMID: 7000708

Abstract

A standardized assay was used to measure the attachment of Actinomyces naeslundii ATCC 12104 to washed human buccal epithelial cells. Treatment of the A. naeslundii cells with hyaluronidases, wheat germ lipase, protease, trypsin, heat, or sonic oscillation significantly reduced their ability to attach to epithelial cells. Treatment of the epithelial cells with the above enzymes did not influence the attachment of A. naeslundii. Extraction of A. naeslundii with NaOH also significantly reduced the ability of the bacterium to attach to human buccal epithelial cells. The neutralized and dialyzed NaOH extract contained both carbohydrate and protein substances in a ratio of about 1:1. Adding this extract back to the extracted bacterial cells partially restored their ability to attach to epithelial cells. When the NaOH extract was preincubated with epithelial cells and residual extract was removed by washing, attachment of normal A. naeslundii was partially blocked. The ability of the extracted material to block attachment was significantly reduced when treated with hyaluronidases or with wheat germ lipase. Treatment with heat, protease, or trypsin did not significantly reduce the ability of the extracted materials to block attachment. Pretreatment of the epithelial cells with hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate also reduced subsequent attachment of normal A. naeslundii cells. Pretreatment of epithelial cells with dextrans, proteins, or unpure mannose did not influence subsequent attachment of A. naeslundii. Pretreatment of A. naeslundii with galactose and lactose significantly inhibited attachment to normal epithelial cells. The results suggest that the attachment of A. naeslundii to human buccal epithelial cells may involve mucopolysaccharides similar to hyaluronic acid on the surface of the bacterial cells. Other attachment mechanisms may also be operative.

Full text

PDF

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Cisar J. O., Kolenbrander P. E., McIntire F. C. Specificity of coaggregation reactions between human oral streptococci and strains of Actinomyces viscosus or Actinomyces naeslundii. Infect Immun. 1979 Jun;24(3):742–752. doi: 10.1128/iai.24.3.742-752.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Clark W. B., Bammann L. L., Gibbons R. J. Comparative estimates of bacterial affinities and adsorption sites on hydroxyapatite surfaces. Infect Immun. 1978 Mar;19(3):846–853. doi: 10.1128/iai.19.3.846-853.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Costello A. H., Cisar J. O., Kolenbrander P. E., Gabriel O. Neuraminidase-dependent hamagglutination of human erythrocytes by human strains of Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii. Infect Immun. 1979 Nov;26(2):563–572. doi: 10.1128/iai.26.2.563-572.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Crawford J. M., Taubman M. A., Smith D. J. The natural history of periodontal bone loss in germfree and gnotobiotic rats infected with periodontopathic microorganisms. J Periodontal Res. 1978 Jul;13(4):316–325. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1978.tb00186.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. DUGUID J. P., SMITH I. W., DEMPSTER G., EDMUNDS P. N. Non-flagellar filamentous appendages (fimbriae) and haemagglutinating activity in Bacterium coli. J Pathol Bacteriol. 1955 Oct;70(2):335–348. doi: 10.1002/path.1700700210. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Ellen R. P., Balcerzak-Raczkowski I. B. Interbacterial aggregation of Actinomyces naeslundii and dental plaque streptococci. J Periodontal Res. 1977 Jan;12(1):11–20. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1977.tb00104.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Ellen R. P. Establishment and distribution of Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii in the human oral cavity. Infect Immun. 1976 Nov;14(5):1119–1124. doi: 10.1128/iai.14.5.1119-1124.1976. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Ellen R. P., Fillery E. D., Chan K. H., Grove D. A. Sialidase-enhanced lectin-like mechanism for Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii hemagglutination. Infect Immun. 1980 Feb;27(2):335–343. doi: 10.1128/iai.27.2.335-343.1980. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Ellen R. P., Gibbons R. J. Parameters affecting the adherence and tissue tropisms of Streptococcus pyogenes. Infect Immun. 1974 Jan;9(1):85–91. doi: 10.1128/iai.9.1.85-91.1974. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Ellen R. P., Leung W. L., Fillery E. D., Grove D. A. Mannose-contaminating agglutinin for Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii. Infect Immun. 1979 Nov;26(2):427–434. doi: 10.1128/iai.26.2.427-434.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Ellen R. P., Segal D. N., Grove D. A. Relative proportions of Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii in dental plaques collected from single sites. J Dent Res. 1978 Apr;57(4):550–550. doi: 10.1177/00220345780570040201. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Ellen R. P., Walker D. L., Chan K. H. Association of long surface appendages with adherence-related functions of the gram-positive species Actinomyces naeslundii. J Bacteriol. 1978 Jun;134(3):1171–1175. doi: 10.1128/jb.134.3.1171-1175.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Frank R. M., Guillo B., Llory H. Caries dentaires chez le rat gnotobiote inoculé avec Actinomyces viscosus et Actinomyces naeslundii. Arch Oral Biol. 1972 Sep;17(9):1249–1253. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(72)90157-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Gibbons R. J., Houte J. V. Bacterial adherence in oral microbial ecology. Annu Rev Microbiol. 1975;29:19–44. doi: 10.1146/annurev.mi.29.100175.000315. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Gibbons R. J., Nygaard M. Interbacterial aggregation of plaque bacteria. Arch Oral Biol. 1970 Dec;15(12):1397–1400. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(70)90031-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Gibbons R. J., Qureshi J. V. Inhibition of adsorption of Streptococcus mutans strains to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite by galactose and certain amines. Infect Immun. 1979 Dec;26(3):1214–1217. doi: 10.1128/iai.26.3.1214-1217.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Gibbons R. J., Van Houte J., Liljemark W. F. Parameters that effect the adherence of Streptococcus salivarius to oral epithelial surfaces. J Dent Res. 1972 Mar-Apr;51(2):424–435. doi: 10.1177/00220345720510023101. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Gibbons R. J., van Houte J. Selective bacterial adherence to oral epithelial surfaces and its role as an ecological determinant. Infect Immun. 1971 Apr;3(4):567–573. doi: 10.1128/iai.3.4.567-573.1971. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Gilboa-Garber N., Mizrahi L., Garber N. Purification of the galactose-binding hemagglutinin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by affinity column chromatography using sepharose. FEBS Lett. 1972 Nov 15;28(1):93–95. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(72)80685-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Guillo B., Klein J. P., Frank R. M. Fissure caries in gnotobiotic rats infected with Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces israelii. Helv Odontol Acta. 1973 Apr;17(1):27–30. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. HOWELL A., Jr, STEPHAN R. M., PAUL F. Prevalence of Actin-omyces israelii, A. naeslundii, Bacterionema matruchotii, and Candida albicans in selected areas of the oral cavity and saliva. J Dent Res. 1962 Sep-Oct;41:1050–1059. doi: 10.1177/00220345620410050701. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Hillman J. D., Van Houte J., Gibbons R. J. Sorption of bacteria to human enamel powder. Arch Oral Biol. 1970 Sep;15(9):899–903. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(70)90163-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Jones G. W., Freter R. Adhesive properties of Vibrio cholerae: nature of the interaction with isolated rabbit brush border membranes and human erythrocytes. Infect Immun. 1976 Jul;14(1):240–245. doi: 10.1128/iai.14.1.240-245.1976. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Jones G. W., Rutter J. M. Role of the K88 antigen in the pathogenesis of neonatal diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli in piglets. Infect Immun. 1972 Dec;6(6):918–927. doi: 10.1128/iai.6.6.918-927.1972. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Kornman K. S., Loesche W. J. New medium for isolation of Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii from dental plaque. J Clin Microbiol. 1978 Jun;7(6):514–518. doi: 10.1128/jcm.7.6.514-518.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. LOWRY O. H., ROSEBROUGH N. J., FARR A. L., RANDALL R. J. Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem. 1951 Nov;193(1):265–275. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. MEYER K., RAPPORT M. M. Hyaluronidases. Adv Enzymol Relat Subj Biochem. 1952;13:199–236. doi: 10.1002/9780470122587.ch6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. McIntire F. C., Vatter A. E., Baros J., Arnold J. Mechanism of coaggregation between Actinomyces viscosus T14V and Streptococcus sanguis 34. Infect Immun. 1978 Sep;21(3):978–988. doi: 10.1128/iai.21.3.978-988.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Miller C. H. Degradation of sucrose by whole cells and plaque of Actinomyces naeslundii. Infect Immun. 1974 Dec;10(6):1280–1291. doi: 10.1128/iai.10.6.1280-1291.1974. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Miller C. H., Palenik C. J., Stamper K. E. Factors affecting the aggregation of Actinomyces naeslundii during growth and in washed cell suspensions. Infect Immun. 1978 Sep;21(3):1003–1009. doi: 10.1128/iai.21.3.1003-1009.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Mongiello J. R., Falkler W. A., Jr Sugar inhibition of oral Fusobacterium nucleatum haemagglutination and cell binding. Arch Oral Biol. 1979;24(7):539–545. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(79)90133-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Mukasa H., Slade H. D. Mechanism of adherence of Streptococcus mutans to smooth surfaces. I. Roles of insoluble dextran-levan synthetase enzymes and cell wall polysaccharide antigen in plaque formation. Infect Immun. 1973 Oct;8(4):555–562. doi: 10.1128/iai.8.4.555-562.1973. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Ofek I., Beachey E. H., Jefferson W., Campbell G. L. Cell membrane-binding properties of group A streptococcal lipoteichoic acid. J Exp Med. 1975 May 1;141(5):990–1003. doi: 10.1084/jem.141.5.990. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Ofek I., Mirelman D., Sharon N. Adherence of Escherichia coli to human mucosal cells mediated by mannose receptors. Nature. 1977 Feb 17;265(5595):623–625. doi: 10.1038/265623a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Onderdonk A. B., Moon N. E., Kasper D. L., Bartlett J. G. Adherence of Bacteroides fragilis in vivo. Infect Immun. 1978 Mar;19(3):1083–1087. doi: 10.1128/iai.19.3.1083-1087.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Rölla G., Kilian M. Haemagglutination activity of plaque-forming bacteria. Caries Res. 1977;11(2):85–89. doi: 10.1159/000260253. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Slots J., Gibbons R. J. Attachment of Bacteroides melaninogenicus subsp. asaccharolyticus to oral surfaces and its possible role in colonization of the mouth and of periodontal pockets. Infect Immun. 1978 Jan;19(1):254–264. doi: 10.1128/iai.19.1.254-264.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Slots J., Möenbo D., Langebaek J., Frandsen A. Microbiota of gingivitis in man. Scand J Dent Res. 1978 May;86(3):174–181. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0722.1978.tb01929.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Socransky S. S., Hubersak C., Propas D. Induction of periodontal destruction in gnotobiotic rats by a human oral strain of Actinomyces naeslundii. Arch Oral Biol. 1970 Oct;15(10):993–995. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(70)90095-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Socransky S. S., Manganiello A. D., Propas D., Oram V., van Houte J. Bacteriological studies of developing supragingival dental plaque. J Periodontal Res. 1977 Mar;12(2):90–106. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1977.tb00112.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Suegara N., Morotomi M., Watanabe T., Kawal Y., Mutai M. Behavior of microflora in the rat stomach: adhesion of lactobacilli to the keratinized epithelial cells of the rat stomach in vitro. Infect Immun. 1975 Jul;12(1):173–179. doi: 10.1128/iai.12.1.173-179.1975. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Infection and Immunity are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES