Probiotics Alter Biofilm Formation And The Transcription Ofporphyromonas Gingivalisvirulence-Associated Genes

Background and Objective The potential of probiotics on the prevention and control of periodontitis and other chronic inflammatory conditions has been suggested.LactobacillusandBifidobacteriumspecies influenceP. gingivalisinteraction with gingival epithelial cells (GECs) but may not act in a unique way. In order to select the most appropriate probiotic againstP. gingivalis, we aimed to evaluate the effect of several strains onPorphyromonas gingivalisbiofilm formation and transcription virulence-associated factors (PgVAFs). Methods Cell-free pH neutralized supernatants (CFS) and livingLactobacillusspp. andBifidobacteriumspp. were tested againstP. gingivalisATCC 33277 and W83, in mono- and multi-species (withStreptococcus oralisandS. gordonii) biofilms. Relative transcription ofP. gingivalisgenes (fimA, mfa1, kgp, rgp, ftsHandluxS) was determined in biofilms and under GECs co-infection. Results Probiotics CFS reducedP. gingivalisATCC 33277 levels in mono-species biofilms and living probiotics reducedP. gingivalisabundance in multi-species biofilms.L. acidophilusLA5 down-regulated transcription of most PgVAFs in biofilms and GECs. Conclusions Probiotics affectP. gingivalisbiofilm formation by down-regulating overall PgVAFs with the most pronounced effect observed forL. acidophilusLA5.