Dentistry Journal (Nov 2022)

<i>Streptococcus mutans</i> Proteases Degrade Dentinal Collagen

  • Bo Huang,
  • Cameron A. Stewart,
  • Christopher A. McCulloch,
  • J. Paul Santerre,
  • Dennis G. Cvitkovitch,
  • Yoav Finer

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/dj10120223
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 12
p. 223

Abstract

Read online

Here, we explored the role of S. mutans’s whole cell and discrete fractions in the degradation of type I collagen and dentinal collagen. Type I collagen gels and human demineralized dentin slabs (DS) were incubated in media alone or with one of the following: overnight (O/N) or newly inoculated (NEW) cultures of S. mutans UA159; intracellular proteins, supernatant or bacterial membranes of O/N cultures. Media from all groups were analyzed for protease-mediated release of the collagen-specific imino acid hydroxyproline. Images of type I collagen and DS were analyzed, respectively. Type I collagen degradation was highest for the supernatant (p p p S. mutans cultures (O/N and NEW), intracellular components, and supernatant. This study demonstrates that intracellular and extracellular proteolytic activities from S. mutans enable this cariogenic bacterium to degrade type I and dentinal collagen in a growth-phase dependent manner, potentially contributing to the progression of dental caries.

Keywords