Extracellular matrix: from biology to strategies for controlling cariogenic biofilms

• Grant number: 21/06801-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Marlise Inêz Klein Furlan
• Grantee: Marlise Inêz Klein Furlan
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alberto Jose Cavalheiro ; Anderson Takeo Hara ; Antônio Pedro Ricomini Filho ; Danielle Benoit ; Fernanda Lourenção Brighenti ; Marcos Rogério Tótola ; Paula Aboud Barbugli
• Associated research grant: 14/05423-0 - Role of extracellular DNA and lipoteichoic acid in the matrix of cariogenic biofilm, AP.JP
• Associated research grant(s): 24/09616-9 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2021/06801-1: equipment for quantitative PCR (Real Time PCR), AP.EMU
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/13692-2 - Identification of oral bacterial species that harbor resistance genes and/or that have developed tolerance strategies to antibiotics and antimicrobial drugs, BP.IC; 24/21446-1 - Expression of extracellular matrix production genes and antimicrobial resistance genes in situ cariogenic biofilms, BP.IC; 24/20051-3 - Modulation of Candida albicans virulence after exposure to compounds and antifungal drugs and epigenetic influence in this process., BP.DD; + associated scholarships 24/05965-9 - Contribution of microbial species to the formation of the extracellular matrix of cariogenic biofilms in situ, BP.DR; 24/07546-3 - Efficacy of drugs delivered by pH-activated nanocarriers to prevent dental caries, BP.PD; 24/09817-4 - Effect of hydroxychalcones, flavonoids, and terpenoids on Candida albicans virulence factors, BP.IC; 24/05230-9 - Evaluation of morphological and physiological aspects of Candida spp. after exposure to experimental compounds and antifungal drugs, BP.IC; 23/11822-3 - Effect of the association of experimental compounds and antifungal in the expression of Candida albicans genes in stress response metabolic pathways associated with tolerance and resistance to antifungal drugs, BP.IC; 23/09612-0 - Influence of Streptococcus mutans cell wall and cell membrane turnover on the bridging of extracellular matrix components and biofilm organization, BP.DD; 23/03926-3 - Expression of genes associated with cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane metabolism of Streptococcus mutans and the importance of selected genes in the morphology of this species, BP.IC; 23/01993-5 - Evaluation of whether Streptococcus mutans extracellular matrix benefits the colonization of other species and whether localized alkali production affects that matrix, BP.MS; 22/15038-2 - Effect of amino sugars metabolism on the extracellular matrix of in vitro oral mixed-species biofilms, BP.IC; 22/10992-0 - Influence of agents on Streptococcus mutans cell wall and cell membrane hydrophobicity, fatty acid composition, and structure, BP.IC; 22/11273-7 - Characterization of the extracellular matrix from in vitro and in situ biofilms, BP.TT - associated scholarships

Abstract

Microbial biofilms are ubiquitous and fundamental for several natural and industrial processes and disease development. Dental caries results from dysbiosis in biofilm caused by microbial metabolism of dietary carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are substrates to produce extracellular matrix components and organic acids. These acids are trapped by the matrix inside the biofilm and at the interface of biofilm/teeth. Over time, these acids demineralize the surfaces and lead to teeth structure loss, affecting oral and systemic health. The main matrix components are exopolysaccharides (soluble and insoluble), extracellular DNA, and lipoteichoic acids. The association of these components restricts the diffusion of substances in and out of biofilms and renders them resistant. The main goal is to unravel the biology of the extracellular matrix for the coordinated construction of cariogenic biofilm and develop strategies for controlling them. Thus, we propose to: 1) determine how Streptococcus mutans (main known matrix producer species) cell wall and membrane turnover affects the bridging of extracellular matrix components and consequent configuration (creation of microniches); 2) evaluate how non-matrix producers' species benefit from the matrix assembled by S. mutans and how localized alkali production by early colonizers interferes with the matrix; 3) determine the contribution of species (other than S. mutans) to the matrix build-up during the development of in situ biofilms; these species (their pathways) could be targeted to control dysbiosis; 4) assess the efficacy of drugs associated or not with nanotechnology for the prevention of dental caries in vivo, including the evaluation of the microbiota (diversity), matrix (matrixome), aspects associated with antimicrobial tolerance and resistance (resistome), and demineralization. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MATTOS-GRANER, RENATA O.; KLEIN, MARLISE I.; ALVES, LIVIA ARAUJO. The complement system as a key modulator of the oral microbiome in health and disease. CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY, v. N/A, p. 30-pg., 2023-01-05. (12/04222-5, 21/13074-9, 15/12940-3, 16/17216-4, 12/50966-6, 12/51832-3, 17/19899-4, 21/06801-1, 18/02054-4, 15/07237-1)