Influence of agents and extracellular matrix in the generation of persisters cells in biofilms and characterization of the extracellular matrix produced by persisters cells

• Grant number: 20/02946-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: January 01, 2021
• End date: February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Marlise Inêz Klein Furlan
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Urbano de Araujo Lopes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Dental caries is a worldwide public health problem caused by the interaction between microorganisms in the biofilm and the diet. A diet rich in carbohydrates provides substrates for acid production and extracellular matrix build-up. This matrix is rich in exopolysaccharides to which extracellular DNA and lipoteichoic acids are associated. The matrix maintains the acids inside the biofilms and at the interface biofilm-teeth surfaces, hindering the neutralization by saliva and leading to teeth demineralization. Among the preventive approaches for dental caries are the mechanical removal of biofilm, use of fluoride to promote remineralization, and diet control (sugar restriction) but with limited success. Therefore, approaches to prevent dental caries are needed, such as the use of bioactive agents that affect the virulence and/or the ability of pathogenic microorganisms to develop biofilms, especially matrix build-up. However, little is known about how the use of antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents is involved in the tolerance and resistance. Also, it is unknown how the active principles of treatments act on the generation of persisters cells (i.e., cells that exhibit tolerance to several drugs, favoring their survival in the biofilm). The matrix is a trait inherent to all biofilms; however, it is unknown the role of persisters cells in the matrix production and build-up (and vice-versa). Thus, the proposal will investigate how agents and extracellular matrix influence the generation of persisters cells in biofilms and will characterize the matrix derived from persisters cells. Agents will be used to generate persisters cells that will be used for biofilm formation. The characterization of biofilms will be via quantification of microbial population and matrix components, tridimensional structure, and gene expression. The data will be evaluated using statistical tests (±=0.05). (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)

LOPES, ANA CAROLINA URBANO DE ARAUJO; LOBO, CARMELIA ISABEL VITORINO; RIBEIRO, SABRINA MARCELA; COLIN, JAQUELINE DA SILVA; CONSTANTINO, VANESSA CORONATO NOGUEIRA; CANONICI, MATHEUS MIELI; BARBUGLI, PAULA ABOUD; KLEIN, MARLISE INEZ. Distinct Agents Induce Streptococcus mutans Cells with Altered Biofilm Formation Capacity. MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM, v. N/A, p. 19-pg., 2022-07-11. (19/18249-1, 20/02946-2, 19/23175-7, 20/06964-5)

LOBO, CARMELIA ISABEL VITORINO; LOPES, ANA CAROLINA URBANO DE ARAUJO; KLEIN, MARLISE INEZ. Compounds with Distinct Targets Present Diverse Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Efficacy against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans, and Combinations of Compounds Potentiate Their Effect. JOURNAL OF FUNGI, v. 7, n. 5, MAY 2021. (20/02946-2)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

LOPES, Ana Carolina Urbano de Araujo. Influência de agentes com alvos distintos na geração de células persistentes de Streptococcus mutans e caracterização dos biofilmes derivados das células persistentes. 2022. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Odontologia. Araraquara Araraquara.