ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of antimicrobial peptide GH12 designedde novoon the structure, morphology, and composition of a cariogenic three-species biofilm.
MethodsThe cariogenic three-species biofilm consis-ted of the cariogenicStreptococcus mutans(S. mutans) and commensal bacteriaStreptococcus sanguinis(S. sanguinis) andStreptococcus gordonii(S. gordonii). The biofilm was treated using GH12 (2, 4, and 8 mg·L-1), and untreated biofilm was used as the control. Changes in the morphology and structure of the three-species biofilm were evaluated through crystal violet staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Moreover,S. mutansin the biofilm was selectively cultured, and its colony-forming units were counted.
ResultsThe biomass and density of the cariogenic three-species biofilm treated with GH12 decreased compared with those of the control. The number ofS. mutansdecreased gradually and eventually became undetectable, whereas the number ofS. gordoniiandS.sanguinisincreased and became predominant in the biofilm.
ConclusionGH12 can reduce the number ofS. mutanswithin the cariogenic three-species biofilm, destroys its integrity, and consequently makes the biofilm easy to remove.
