Biofilm Interactions of Candida albicans and Mitis Group Streptococci in a Titanium-Mucosal Interface Model
João Gabriel Silva Souza, Martinna Bertolini, Angela Thompson, Valentim Adelino Ricardo Barão, Anna Dongari‐Bagtzoglou
Abstract
Our findings provide new insights into the cross-kingdom interaction between C. albicans and Streptococcus species representative of the mitis group. These microorganisms colonize titanium-based dental implant materials, but little is known about their ability to cause inflammation and damage of the adjacent mucosal tissues. Using an in vitro biomaterial-mucosal interface infection model, we showed that mixed biofilms of each species with C. albicans enhance tissue damage. One possible mechanism for this effect is the increased fungal hypha-associated virulence gene expression we observed in mixed biofilms with these species. Interestingly, we also found that the interaction of multispecies biofilms with organotypic mucosal surfaces led to the release of growth-suppressing mediators of Candida , which may represent a homeostatic defense mechanism of the oral mucosa against fungal overgrowth. Thus, our findings provide novel insights into biofilms on biomaterials that may play an important role in the pathogenesis of mucosal infections around titanium implants.