Tea polyphenols inhibit the growth and virulence properties of Fusobacterium nucleatum - PubMed (original) (raw)

Tea polyphenols inhibit the growth and virulence properties of Fusobacterium nucleatum

Amel Ben Lagha et al. Sci Rep. 2017.

Abstract

Fusobacterium nucleatum plays a key role in creating the pathogenic subgingival biofilm that initiates destructive periodontitis. It is also a common resident of the human gastrointestinal tract and has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of green and black tea extracts as well as two of their bioactive components, EGCG and theaflavins, on the growth and virulence properties of F. nucleatum. The tea extracts and components displayed various degrees of antibacterial activity that may involve damage to the bacterial cell membrane and the chelation of iron. They also prevented biofilm formation by F. nucleatum at concentrations that did not interfere with bacterial growth. In addition, the treatment of a pre-formed F. nucleatum biofilm with the green tea extract and EGCG caused a time-dependent decrease in biofilm viability. The green and black tea extracts, EGCG, and theaflavins decreased the adherence of F. nucleatum to oral epithelial cells and matrix proteins. Moreover, these tea components also attenuated F. nucleatum-mediated hemolysis and hydrogen sulfide production, two other virulence factors expressed by this bacterium. In summary, this study showed that tea polyphenols may be of interest for treating F. nucleatum-associated disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1. Iron-chelating activity of the green tea extract, black tea extract, EGCG, and theaflavins determined using a siderophore colorimetric assay.

A decrease in A630 occurs when a strong chelator removes the iron from the chrome azurol sulfate dye. Ferrichrome, a siderophore produced by U. sphaerogena, was used as positive control. Results are expressed as the means ± SD of triplicate assays from two independent experiments. All values are significantly different from the negative control (p < 0.01).

Figure 2

Figure 2. Effects of the green tea extract, black tea extract, EGCG, and theaflavins on the growth of and biofilm formation by F. nucleatum.

A value of 100% was assigned to growth and biofilm formation obtained with F. nucleatum in the absence of tea polyphenols. Results are expressed as the means ± SD of triplicate assays from three independent experiments. *Significantly different from the control (p < 0.01).

Figure 3

Figure 3. Effects of the green tea extract, black tea extract, EGCG, and theaflavins on the adherence of F. nucleatum to oral epithelial cells.

Results are expressed as the means ± SD of triplicate assays from two independent experiments. *Significant decrease (p < 0.01) compared with the untreated control.

Figure 4

Figure 4. Effects of the green tea extract, black tea extract, EGCG, and theaflavins on the adherence of F. nucleatum to extracellular matrix proteins (Matrigel®).

Results are expressed as the means ± SD of triplicate assays from two independent experiments. *Significant decrease (p < 0.01) compared with the untreated control.

Figure 5

Figure 5. Effects of the green tea extract, black tea extract, EGCG, and theaflavins on the hemolytic activity of F. nucleatum.

SDS (10%) was used as positive control to induce complete lysis of sheep erythrocytes. A value of 100% was assigned to the hemolysis by F. nucleatum in the absence of tea polyphenols. Results are expressed as the means ± SD of triplicate assays from three independent experiments. *Significantly different from the control (p < 0.01).

Figure 6

Figure 6. Effects of the green tea extract, black tea extract, EGCG, and theaflavins on H2S production by F. nucleatum.

A value of 100% was assigned to H2S production by F. nucleatum in the absence of tea polyphenols. Results are expressed as the means ± SD of triplicate assays from three independent experiments. *Significantly different from the control (p < 0.01).

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