Objective: To investigate the regulative effects of Streptococcus mutans (Sm) antisense vicK RNA (ASvicK) on the multi-species biofilm formed by three common oral streptococci (Sm, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus gordonii) (Sm+Ss+Sg). Methods: ASvicK over-expression strain was constructed by using a recombinant plasmid, and three-species biofilm UA159+Ss+Sg and ASvicK+Ss+Sg were cultured. The phenotypes of biofilms were detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Crystal violet (CV) assay was used to detect biofilm biomass. Lactate kit and anthrone-sulfuric acid colorimetric assay were used to determine the abilities of lactic acid and exopolysaccharides production, respectively. The proportions of three-species and expression levels of the cariogenic-related genes in biofilms were detected by TaqMan fluorescence quantitative PCR and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. A biofilm demineralization model of human enamel slabs was further constructed, and the hardness of enamel surface was detected. Results: Compared to UA159+Ss+Sg, over-expression of ASvicK could inhibit biofilm formation and lactic acid production in ASvicK+Ss+Sg biofilm significantly decreased by 78.93% (P<0.001) and 62.23% (P<0.001), respectively. With ASvicK over-expression, the amounts of water-insoluble and-soluble glucoses in ASvicK+Ss+Sg biofilm were reduced respectively by 39.13% (P<0.001) and 68.00% (P<0.001). Compared to the UA159+Ss+Sg Group, the proportion of Sm, the cariogenic bacteria, showed 33.00% reduction (P<0.01) in Sm+Ss+Sg biofilm, and the gene expressions of cariogenic-relative genes vicK/X, gtfB/C/D, and ftf significantly decreased (P<0.05). The micro-hardness value of enamel slabs after demineralization by ASvicK+Ss+Sg biofilm was significantly increased to 183.84% (P<0.001). Conclusions: ASvicK over-expression could reduce the Sm proportion and weaken the cariogenicity of oral Streptococcus biofilm, thereby possibly slowing down the progression of caries.
目的： 研究变异链球菌（Sm）反义vicK RNA（ASvicK）对3种常见口腔链球菌［Sm、血链球菌（Ss）和戈登链球菌（Sg）］构建的多菌种生物膜致龋性的调控作用。 方法： 通过重组质粒构建ASvicK过表达株，以Sm标准菌株UA159和ASvicK过表达株分别与Ss及Sg构建的多菌种生物膜（分别为UA159+Ss+Sg组、ASvicK+Ss+Sg组）为研究对象，扫描电镜观察生物膜结构；结晶紫染色法检测细菌生物膜总量的差异；通过乳酸试剂盒及蒽酮法评估生物膜产酸产糖能力；利用TaqMan荧光定量PCR及实时荧光定量PCR检测生物膜中3种菌的比例及Sm致龋相关基因的改变；进一步构建人牙釉质片生物膜脱矿模型，用显微硬度仪检测牙釉质表面硬度变化。 结果： ASvicK过表达后，Sm+Ss+Sg多菌种生物膜结构疏松。相较于UA159+Ss+Sg组，ASvicK+Ss+Sg组生物膜总量、乳酸产量分别显著降低78.93%及62.23%（均P<0.001），而生物膜水不溶性和不溶性胞外多糖产量分别显著降低39.13%及68.00%（均P<0.001）。与UA159+Ss+Sg组相比，ASvicK+Ss+Sg多菌种生物膜中致龋菌Sm比例显著降低33.00%（P<0.01），Sm致龋相关基因vicK/X、gtfB、gtfC、gtfD和ftf表达显著下调（P<0.05），牙釉质片脱矿后显微硬度值显著上升至183.84%（P<0.001）。 结论： ASvicK过表达可降低口腔链球菌生物膜中致龋菌Sm的比例，并减弱口腔链球菌生物膜致龋毒力及致龋性，可能减缓龋病的进展。.