Oral Biofilms: Pathogens, Matrix, and Polymicrobial Interactions in Microenvironments

Biofilms are microbial communities embedded within an extracellular matrix, forming a highly organized structure that causes many human infections. Dental caries (tooth decay) is a polymicrobial biofilm disease driven by the diet and microbiota–matrix interactions that occur on a solid surface. Suga...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in microbiology (Regular ed.) 2018-03, Vol.26 (3), p.229-242
Main Authors: Bowen, William H., Burne, Robert A., Wu, Hui, Koo, Hyun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biofilms
Cellular Microenvironment - physiology
Commensals
Dental caries
Dental Caries - microbiology
Dental Plaque - microbiology
Dietary Sugars
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Microbial Interactions
Microbiota
Microenvironments
Opportunist infection
Pathogenesis
Pathogens
Virulence
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Summary:Biofilms are microbial communities embedded within an extracellular matrix, forming a highly organized structure that causes many human infections. Dental caries (tooth decay) is a polymicrobial biofilm disease driven by the diet and microbiota–matrix interactions that occur on a solid surface. Sugars fuel the emergence of pathogens, the assembly of the matrix, and the acidification of the biofilm microenvironment, promoting ecological changes and concerted multispecies efforts that are conducive to acid damage of the mineralized tooth tissue. Here, we discuss recent advances in the role of the biofilm matrix and interactions between opportunistic pathogens and commensals in the pathogenesis of dental caries. In addition, we highlight the importance of matrix-producing organisms in fostering a pathogenic habitat where interspecies competition and synergies occur to drive the disease process, which could have implications to other infections associated with polymicrobial biofilms. New knowledge on biofilm matrix biology and polymicrobial composition has indicated the importance of the local microenvironment where pathogens and commensals interact. Opportunistic oral pathogens evolved in intimate association with not only the human host and resident microbiota, but also with a constantly changing diet to enhance virulence potential of the biofilm. Although the oral microbiota and its function should be viewed as a whole, the matrix which provides the spatial, physical, and chemical environment is equally important. In polymicrobial communities, matrix-producing pathogens can be considered ‘biofilm environment conditioners’ that help to build up a pathological habitat on biotic and abiotic surfaces. Understanding of functional interactions between matrix components and the local microbiome could lead to new approaches to prevent polymicrobial biofilm-associated infections.
ISSN:0966-842X
1878-4380
DOI:10.1016/j.tim.2017.09.008