Oral Commensal Streptococci: Gatekeepers of the Oral Cavity

Oral commensal streptococci are primary colonizers of the oral cavity. These streptococci produce many adhesins, metabolites, and antimicrobials that modulate microbial succession and diversity within the oral cavity. Often, oral commensal streptococci antagonize cariogenic and periodontal pathogens...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of bacteriology 2022-11, Vol.204 (11), p.e0025722
Main Authors: Baty, Joshua J, Stoner, Sara N, Scoffield, Jessica A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adhesins
Antagonism
Antimicrobial agents
Bacteriocins
Bacteriology
Biofilms
Ecological succession
Homeostasis
Hydrogen peroxide
Immune response
Immune system
Intermediates
Metabolites
Microbiomes
Microorganisms
Minireview
Mouth
Oral cavity
Pathogens
Porphyromonas gingivalis
Reactive nitrogen species
Scavenging
Streptococcus
Streptococcus - metabolism
Streptococcus infections
Streptococcus mutans - metabolism
Structure-function relationships
Symbiosis
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Summary:Oral commensal streptococci are primary colonizers of the oral cavity. These streptococci produce many adhesins, metabolites, and antimicrobials that modulate microbial succession and diversity within the oral cavity. Often, oral commensal streptococci antagonize cariogenic and periodontal pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively. Mechanisms of antagonism are varied and range from the generation of hydrogen peroxide, competitive metabolite scavenging, the generation of reactive nitrogen intermediates, and bacteriocin production. Furthermore, several oral commensal streptococci have been shown to alter the host immune response at steady state and in response to oral pathogens. Collectively, these features highlight the remarkable ability of oral commensal streptococci to regulate the structure and function of the oral microbiome. In this review, we discuss mechanisms used by oral commensal streptococci to interact with diverse oral pathogens, both physically and through the production of antimicrobials. Finally, we conclude by exploring the critical roles of oral commensal streptococci in modulating the host immune response and maintaining health and homeostasis.
ISSN:0021-9193
1098-5530
1098-5530
DOI:10.1128/jb.00257-22