Studies on the anticariogenic potential of dextransucrase antibodies against streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Dental caries is a common, chronic, multifactorial, infectious disease in humans. It is characterized by the demineralization and destruction of the tooth enamel leading to the formation of cavities. The virulence traits by which infection is established includes biofilm formation, adherence, aciduricity, acidogenicity, hydrophobic interactions by oral bacteria. Among others, Streptococcus mutans is the principle causative agent for the pathogenesis of this disease. Streptococcus mutans has a great ability to synthesize exopolysaccharides which helps in its adhesion onto the tooth surface and thus generate acids by metabolizing carbohydrates which have direct association with the enamel demineralization and destruction of the calcified surface of tooth leading to caries formation. newlineThe enzymes and molecules involved in the process need to be targeted for the prevention of this disease. Dextransucrase is the key enzyme responsible for the metabolism of sucrose and formation of exopolysaccharides. Thus is a good candidate to investigate its anticariogenic potentials. The present study primarily focused on the generation of antibodies against purified dextransucrase from S. mutans. Our data showed a strong inhibitory effect of dextransucrase antibodies on the growth of S. mutans, biofilm formation and other cariogenic factors of the organism. Thus dextransucrase may prove to be a promising antigen to develop anticariogenic agent. The present data strongly supports this contention. newline newline