Open AccessInvasion of human coronary artery endothelial cells by Streptococcus mutans OMZ175
Author(s) -
Abranches J.,
Zeng L.,
Bélanger M.,
Rodrigues P. H.,
SimpsonHaidaris P. J.,
Akin D.,
Dunn Jr W. A.,
ProgulskeFox A.,
Burne R. A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
oral microbiology and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1399-302X
pISSN - 0902-0055
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-302x.2008.00487.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus mutans , serotype , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , dental plaque , endocarditis , dental extraction , virulence , bacteria , medicine , dentistry , biochemistry , genetics , gene
Dissemination of oral bacteria into the bloodstream has been associated with eating, oral hygiene, and dental procedures; including tooth extraction, endodontic treatment, and periodontal surgery. Recently, studies identified Streptococcus mutans , the primary etiological agent of dental caries, as the most prevalent bacterial species found in clinical samples from patients who underwent heart valve and atheromatous plaque surgery. Methods: By using antibiotic protection assays, we tested the capacity of 14 strains of S. mutans to invade primary human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC). Results: Serotype e strain B14 and serotype f strain OMZ175 of S. mutans were able to efficiently invade HCAEC. Among the tested strains, serotype f S. mutans OMZ175 was the most invasive, whereas strains of serotype c S. mutans , the most prevalent serotype in dental plaque, were not invasive. Based on its high invasion rate, we further investigated the invasive properties of serotype f OMZ175. Using transmission electron microscopy and antibiotic protection assays we demonstrate that S. mutans OMZ175 is capable of attaching to the HCAEC surface, entering the cells and surviving in HCAEC for at least 29 h. Discussion: Our findings highlight a potential role for S. mutans in the pathogenesis of certain cardiovascular diseases.