Open AccessIntraspecies Variability Affects Heterotypic Biofilms of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia: Evidences of Strain-Dependence Biofilm Modulation by Physical Contact and by Released Soluble Factors
Author(s) -
Graziela Murta Barbosa,
A. Colombo,
Paulo Henrique Mazza Rodrigues,
Maria Regina Lorenzetti Simionato
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0138687
Subject(s) - porphyromonas gingivalis , prevotella intermedia , biofilm , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , strain (injury) , virulence , bacteroidaceae , bacteria , genetics , gene , anatomy
It is well known that strain and virulence diversity exist within the population structure of Porphyromonas gingivalis . In the present study we investigate intra- and inter-species variability in biofilm formation of Porphyromonas gingivalis and partners Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens . All strains tested showed similar hydrophobicity, except for P . gingivalis W83 which has roughly half of the hydrophobicity of P . gingivalis ATCC33277. An intraspecies variability in coaggregation of P . gingivalis with P . intermedia was also found. The association P . gingivalis W83/ P . intermedia 17 produced the thickest biofilm and strain 17 was prevalent. In a two-compartment system P . gingivalis W83 stimulates an increase in biomass of strain 17 and the latter did not stimulate the growth of P . gingivalis W83. In addition, P . gingivalis W83 also stimulates the growth of P . intermedia ATCC25611 although strain W83 was prevalent in the association with P . intermedia ATCC25611. P . gingivalis ATCC33277 was prevalent in both associations with P . intermedia and both strains of P . intermedia stimulate the growth of P . gingivalis ATCC33277. FISH images also showed variability in biofilm structure. Thus, the outcome of the association P . gingivalis / P . intermedia seems to be strain-dependent, and both soluble factors and physical contact are relevant. The association P . gingivalis - P . nigrescens ATCC33563 produced larger biomass than each monotypic biofilm, and P . gingivalis was favored in consortia, while no differences were found in the two-compartment system. Therefore, in consortia P . gingivalis - P . nigrescens physical contact seems to favor P . gingivalis growth. The intraspecies variability found in our study suggests strain-dependence in ability of microorganisms to recognize molecules in other bacteria which may further elucidate the dysbiosis event during periodontitis development giving additional explanation for periodontal bacteria, such as P . gingivalis and P . intermedia , among others, to persist and establish chronic infections in the host.