Journal of Oral Microbiology
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2026
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IF 6.7
Yuntong Liao,Xinxin Li,Sivasamy Sethupathy,Lili Zhong,Xin Cheng,Fang Wang,Zhiwen Ding,Chunbo Hao,Lianmeng Ye,Yuqing Li,Owias Iqbal Dar,Min Wang
Objective Streptococcus mutans is a primary pathogen linked to dental caries. This study evaluated the effects of dihydromyricetin (DHM), a flavonoid from Ampelopsis grossedentata, on the biofilm formation and virulence of S. mutans UA159 and explored the underlying mechanisms.Methods Antibacterial activity was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and growth assays. Biofilm formation, metabolic activity and viable counts were assessed using crystal violet staining, MTT and CFU assays. Biofilm architecture was examined by electron and confocal microscopy. Acid production, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis, adhesion and aggregation were evaluated. Expression of virulence genes (gtfB, gtfC andspaP) and the quorum sensing gene luxS was analyzed by RT-qPCR.Results DHM showed an MIC of 250 μg/mL and significantly inhibited biofilm formation, EPS synthesis, acid production, adhesion and aggregation. Biofilm structure was disrupted and viable cell counts were reduced. DHM markedly downregulated virulence-associated and quorum sensing-related genes.Conclusion DHM suppresses biofilm formation and cariogenic virulence of S. mutans, partly through the modulation of quorum sensing, indicating its potential as a natural anticariogenic agent.
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PubMed
高影响因子
CARBON
·
2025
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IF 11.6
Yiyang Wang,Menghan Zhang,Lingling Huang,Yue Tang,Shanshan Liu,Jiexing Liu,Yao Wang,Shaohuang Weng,Xiaofeng Zhu
Dental caries is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections in humans, primarily caused by Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) and the biofilms formed on tooth surfaces. Efficient and easily implementable preventive strategies for dental caries are still needed. In this study, we synthesized guanidination carbon dots (HG-CDs) bearing guanidine and quaternary ammonium groups via a melting strategy. The HG-CDs, with an average particle size of ∼3 nm and a positive zeta potential of +11.8 mV, exhibited strong binding and deep penetration into S. mutans biofilms, leading to significant inhibition of biofilm growth, with biofilm biomass reduced by approximately 90 %, and inducing bacterial lysis. Transcriptomic and qRT-PCR analyses revealed that HG-CDs markedly downregulated key carbohydrate metabolism genes ( gbpB , the gtf family, and ftf ), thereby blocking exopolysaccharide synthesis and preventing biofilm reconstruction. In ex vivo tooth model, HG-CDs effectively eradicated established biofilms. In vivo , similar to that of CHX treatment, HG-CDs delivered via a mouthwash approach significantly reduced the incidence of early and moderate pit-and-fissure caries in molars, while HG-CDs treatment notably delayed lesion progression. Collectively, HG-CDs integrate efficient antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anticaries capabilities, paving a practical path for developing an advanced oral care formulations and holding significant translational promise for intervening in oral infectious diseases especially for dental caries.
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高影响因子
ARCHIVES OF ORAL BIOLOGY
·
2019
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IF 1.663
Qiaomu Huang,Shilei Wang,Yujun Sun,Cheng Shi,Hao Yang,Zhong Lu
Objective Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ), the main pathogen of dental caries, could be well killed by Ag/ZnO nanocomposite. However, effects on virulence factors remain to be elucidated. This study investigated effects of Ag/ZnO at sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) on virulence factors of S. mutans and related genes expressions. Design Effects of Ag/ZnO on the growth of S. mutans was investigated by growth curves and MTT staining method. The influence of Ag/ZnO at sub-MICs on biofilm formation was measured by the crystal violet staining method and observed by a scanning electron microscopy. Adherence, cell-surface hydrophobicity, acidogenicity and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) of S. mutans after treatment by Ag/ZnO at sub-MICs were also investigated. Virulence factors related genes expressions after treated by Ag/ZnO at 1/2 MIC was conducted by the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) method. Results Sub-MICs of Ag/ZnO exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition on the virulence factors of S. mutans . Specially, Ag/ZnO at 1/2 MIC decreased 69.00 % biofilm formation, 31.78 % sucrose-independent and 48.08 % sucrose-dependent adherence, 69.44 % cell-surface hydrophobicity and 72.45 % water-soluble and 90.60 % water-insoluble EPS. Furthermore, the expression of virulence factors related genes was significantly suppressed by Ag/ZnO at 1/2 MIC. Conclusions Ag/ZnO at sub-MICs inhibited multiple virulence factors of S. mutans through downregulating the related genes. Ag/ZnO nanocomposite could be used for prevention of dental caries at low dosage.
研究领域:
口腔微生物学
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纳米医学
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分子生物学
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高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
·
2025
·Vol. 26
·期 19
·9510
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IF 4.9
Qingying Shi,Fengzhu Li,Yingying Peng,Qiannan Sun,Hong Zhao,Fuping Lu,Huabing Zhao
Dental caries, a prevalent biofilm-mediated chronic disease, causes enamel demineralization, pulp infection, and systemic complications. Dental plaque biofilm is the initiating factor for the occurrence and development of caries.Streptococcus mutansis an opportunistic pathogen linked to the structure and ecology of dental plaque biofilms. The molecular mechanism ofS. mutansduring biofilm ontogeny in driving cariogenesis has been extensively elucidated. Here, we observed that asiatic acid is a potent biofilm disruptor that selectively dismantlesS. mutansbiofilm architectures, prompting us to investigate its mechanism. The minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC) of asiatic acid onS. mutanswas 62.5 μM, but the MBIC level did not substantially impede planktonic growth. Using the static active-attachment model, it was demonstrated that asiatic acid significantly reduced biofilm biomass (p< 0.001) and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) content (p< 0.001), while concurrently diminishing acid production (p= 0.017) and metabolic activity (p= 0.014). Confocal and scanning electron microscopy further confirmed structural disintegration, including bacterial detachment and reduced biofilm thickness. Transcriptome analysis ofS. mutansbiofilm treated with asiatic acid revealed 454 differentially expressed genes (adjustedp< 0.05, |log2FC| ≥ 1). Notably, genes related to the CiaRH two-component system (ciaR,ciaH), a central regulatory hub for biofilm maturation and acid tolerance. This disruption initiates a downstream cascade, causing a coordinated downregulation of critical gene clusters essential for virulence and pathogenesis, including stress response (htrA,clpP,groEL,dnaK), and the glucan-binding protein gene (gbpC) essential for biofilm structural integrity. These findings provide the first mechanistic evidence linking asiatic acid to transcriptional reprogramming inS. mutansbiofilm, offering a novel ecological strategy for caries prevention by targeting key regulatory pathways.
研究领域:
微生物学
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口腔生物学
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分子医学
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感染性疾病
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药理学
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生物膜研究
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转化医学
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高影响因子
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
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2026
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IF 5.5
Yuxia Wang,Jing Mi,Xiaoling Cao,Muyao Wang,Huanhuan Feng,Fanying Kong,Xinge Zhang,Xiaobin Liu
BackgroundDental caries, primarily driven by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilms, remains a formidable clinical challenge due to the protective extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix and the limited efficacy of conventional antibiotics.MethodsTo address this, we report a biomimetic photothermal nanoplatform (FWA NPs) featuring a hierarchical, urchin-like multi-spiked architecture, synthesized via the co-assembly of ferrocene-tryptophan conjugates and in situ biomineralized gold nanoparticles.ResultsBenefiting from this unique topological structure, FWA NPs maximize interfacial interactions with bacterial membranes and exhibit enhanced near-infrared absorption, achieving a remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency of 54.4%. Under 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, this rapid and localized heat generation induced efficient eradication of S. mutans, which manifested as a dramatic reduction in bacterial colonies from ~107 to ~105 CFU/mL and irreversible membrane damage characterized by massive surface wrinkling, localized collapse, and membrane rupture. Additionally, FWA NPs reduced the survival rate of S. mutans biofilms to approximately 10%, Crucially, FWA NPs demonstrated excellent biocompatibility with a hemolysis rate of approximately 1% for red blood cells and a relative survival rate of 90% for normal cells.ConclusionBy synergistically integrating topological advantages with highly efficient energy conversion, this rationally designed nanoplatform offers a highly effective, non-antibiotic therapeutic paradigm for combating biofilm-associated oral infections and mitigating the global threat of antimicrobial resistance.
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DALTON TRANSACTIONS
·
2023
·
IF 4
Ruifeng Wang,Qiyuan Pan,Fang Li,Jingying Guo,Yaru Huo,Chao Xu,Manwen Xiong,Ziyong Cheng,Min Liu,Jun Lin
Caries as a result of acid demineralization is the most common oral microbial infection disease. Due to the small and complex intraoral operating space, it is challenging to completely remove Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and other cariogenic bacteria. As an intelligent acid-responsive photosensitive nanomaterial, O2-Cu/ZIF-8@Ce6/ZIF-8@HA (OCZCH) was chosen to adapt the anaerobic and acidic microenvironment to inactivate S. mutans. In this work, OCZCH not only has a regular nanomorphology under the SEM and TEM images but also has an intelligent acid responsiveness as evidenced by the release of Ce6 and oxygen. When excited by near-infrared light at 650 nm, Ce6 released reactive oxygen species (ROS) that act synergistically with internal oxygen to significantly enhance the antimicrobial therapeutic effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT). In vitro, antimicrobial experiments showed that OCZCH could achieve an impressive sterilization effect against S. mutans and the biofilm. Notably, the acid-producing ability of the bacteria was also significantly inhibited. Considering its oxygen-carrying photosensitizing properties, excellent responsiveness to acidic environments, and antimicrobial capacity under anaerobic conditions, OCZCH is considered an innovative candidate for clinical application in treating dental caries.
研究领域:
纳米技术
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生物医学工程
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牙科学
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材料科学
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微生物学
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高影响因子
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
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2025
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IF 13.2
Yuan Zhang,Kangzheng Lv,Yu Zhang,Qin Mi,Daixin Ye,Xi Chen,Juan Zhang
The emergence and robust advancement of the CRISPR/Cas system have presented novel opportunities for the development of paper-based microfluidics. In this study, the CRISPR/Cas system is firstly ingeniously integrated into a paper-based platform as an efficient signal amplification component. The Cas12a-crRNA system is integrated with nitrocellulose (NC) membrane to prepare an anchored CRISPR-Cas12a system-boosted paper-based microfluidic device, thereby increasing the local concentration of the CRISPR/Cas12a-crRNA system and enhancing catalytic efficiency. Compared with free CRISPR/Cas12a system, our explored split anchored CRISPR/Cas12a signal amplification component demonstrates a catalytic constant that is 22 times higher and a specificity constant that is 34 times greater. Further, an anchored split CRISPR/Cas12a boosted paper-based microfluidic array (ASCPMA) has been further constructed for the on-site detection of Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) to assess the early risk of oral caries. ASCPMA exhibits a wide linear range from 10 CFU/mL to 10 8 CFU/mL, with a detection limit as low as 2.08 CFU/mL, and it has been successfully applied to test 140 clinical saliva samples. With rapidity, accuracy, and portability, ASCPMA will facilitate early diagnosis and prevention of dental caries.
研究领域:
生物技术
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微流控技术
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分子诊断
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口腔医学
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高影响因子
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
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2022
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IF 6.073
Liao Ying,Zhang Mengyun,Lin Xingnan,Yan Fuhua
Different small molecules have been developed to target cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans. Based on target-based designing and in silico screening, a novel diaryl urea derivative, 1,3-bis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]urea (BPU), has previously been found effective in inhibiting the growth of S. mutans. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear. This current study aimed to explore the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of BPU on S. mutans and locate key enzymes and biological processes affected by the molecule via in silico molecular docking analysis and transcriptomic profile. Our in vitro results confirmed that BPU was capable of inhibiting planktonic growth as well as biofilm formation of S. mutans. The virtual binding analysis predicted that the molecule had strong binding potentials with vital enzymes (3AIC and 2ZID) involved in extracellular exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesis. The predicted inhibitive binding was further confirmed by in vitro quantification of EPS, which found a decreased amount of EPS in the biofilms. The transcriptomic profile also found differential expression of genes involved in EPS synthesis. Moreover, the transcriptomic profile implied alterations in stress response and nitrogen metabolism in S. mutans treated with BPU. Examination of differentially expressed genes involved in these biological processes revealed that altered gene expression could contribute to impaired growth, biofilm formation, and competitiveness of S. mutans. In conclusion, the novel diaryl urea derivative BPU can inhibit the virulence of S. mutans by affecting different biological processes and serves as a potent anti-caries agent.
研究领域:
微生物学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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生物信息学
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高影响因子
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
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2022
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IF 5.532
Rumin Fu,Cairong Xiao,Zhekun Zhang,Kunyu Ren,Zhengnan Zhou,Zhengao Wang,Chengyun Ning,Chunlin Deng,Lei Zhou,Peng Yu,Xiaolan Wang,Guoxin Tan
Ceramic-based materials are widely used as dental restorative materials due to their excellent corrosion resistance and low shrinkage. However, the pathogenicity caused by abnormal adhesion and colonization of these dental restorative materials by bacteria in the oral cavity significantly affects the restorative results. Therefore, we report an efficient anti-Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) ceramic material achieved by introducing small copper oxide nanoparticles into the sodium aluminosilicate ceramic material. Our results show that the composite ceramic can efficiently kill S. mutans (up to 99.99% antibacterial rate) and has excellent biocompatibility. By examining copper ion release assay, SEM observation, MTT, total protein, and DNA content after co-culture of bacteria, we speculate that copper ions in the composite ceramic disrupt the permeability of S. mutans membrane, affect the respiratory system of bacteria, and disrupt DNA proliferation thereby affecting the regular life activity of bacteria and eventually killing S. mutans . Based on our work, it is feasible to develop an efficient antimicrobial material for restorative dentistry by introducing copper ions into the ceramic materials, providing a new perspective for designing high-performance antimicrobial dental restorative materials.
研究领域:
牙科学
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材料科学
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细菌学
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DOI
高影响因子
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
·
2024
·
IF 8.3
Ting Pan,Yixue Li,Feng-Shou Liu,Huancai Lin,Yan Zhou
Dental caries is a widespread bacterial infectious disease that imposes a significant public health burden globally. The primary culprits in caries development are cariogenic bacteria, notably Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), due to their robust biofilm-forming capabilities. To address this issue, a series of cationic pyridinium-substituted photosensitizers with aggregation-induced emission have been designed. All of these aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) exhibit outstanding microbial visualization and photodynamic killing of S. mutans, thanks to their luminous fluorescence and efficient singlet oxygen generation ability. Notably, one of the membrane-anchored AIEgens (TDTPY) can inactivate planktic S. mutans and its biofilm without causing significant cytotoxicity. Importantly, application of TDTPY-mediated photodynamic treatment on in vivo rodent models has yielded commendable imaging results and effectively slowed down caries progression with assured biosafety. Unlike traditional single-mode anticaries materials, AIEgens integrate the dual functions of detecting and removing S. mutans and are expected to build a new caries management diagnosis and treatment platform. To the best of our knowledge, this is also the first report on the use of AIEgens for anticaries studies both in vitro and in vivo.
研究领域:
牙科学
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微生物学
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光动力疗法
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材料科学
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生物医学工程
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PubMed
高影响因子
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
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2017
·
IF 5.401
Shijia Yang,Mengyao Wang,Lin Wang,Zhifeng Fu
A sandwich protocol was developed for chemiluminescent detection of Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) utilizing dual-site recognition of the bacteria by rat IgG2a and vancomycin. Magnetic particles (MPs) functionalized with rat IgG2a were adopted to capture S. mutans based on the binding between Fc region of rat IgG2a and protein G in the cell wall of the bacteria. Alkaline phosphatase labeled vancomycin was applied as the signal tracer since D-Ala- d -Ala peptide moieties in the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria could be recognized by this antibiotic agent. The protocol showed an ideal specificity for S. mutans detection because the recognition agents bound with the bacteria at two distinct sites. Furthermore, the utilization of MPs enrichment greatly improved the sensitivity. S. mutans could be detected within a linear range of 2.4 × 10 1 − 2.4 × 10 5 CFU mL −1 , with a very low detection limit of 2.3 × 10 1 CFU mL −1 . Some common Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria showed negligible interference. This proposed method for S. mutans detection possessed some attractive characteristics such as facile manipulation, short detection time, low cost, ultra-high sensitivity and ideal specificity. It was used to detect S. mutans in human saliva with acceptable recoveries ranging from 70.8% to 108.3%.
研究领域:
微生物学
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生物分析化学
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高影响因子
TALANTA
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2017
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IF 4.162
Xiaoxiao Su,Mengyao Wang,Yue Wu,Yong He,Zhifeng Fu
A novel dual-site recognition protocol was developed for chemiluminescent (CL) detection of Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) based on a designed antibiotic-affinity strategy. Teicoplanin , a broad-spectrum antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria, was adopted to functionalize magnetic particles and recognize S. mutans utilizing the strong affinity between this agent and D-Alanyl-D-Alanine peptide moieties in the bacterial cell wall. To achieve ideal specificity for S. mutans detection, rat immunoglobulin G2a (rat IgG2a) tagged with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used as the second recognition agent and signal tracer since Fab region of rat IgG2a could bind with streptococcal protein G highly expressed in the cell wall of S. mutans . Thus HRP-tagged sandwich complex of teicoplanin/ S. mutans /rat IgG2a was formed on the magnetic particles, followed by a CL quantification of S. mutans based on a HRP-catalyzed luminol-H 2 O 2 -p -iodophenol CL reaction. This dual-site recognition protocol showed a linear range of 1.0 × 10 2 –1.0 × 10 6 CFU mL −1 and a detection limit of 33 CFU mL −1 for S. mutans detection. The whole detection process could be completed within 70 min. The recovery tests for food, environmental, pharmaceutical and biological samples showed acceptable recovery values between 83.0% and 110.0%, demonstrating its application potential for detection of bacteria in various sample matrixes.
研究领域:
微生物学
·
分析化学
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PubMed
高影响因子
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