The Dentin Microbiome: A Metatranscriptomic Evaluation of Caries-Associated Bacteria

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Dental caries remains a prevalent chronic disease globally, driven by complex interactions between the host, diet, and microbial communities. This study employs a metatranscriptomic RNA-Seq analysis to explore the functional dynamics of the dentin microbiome...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Simone G. de Oliveira, Rodrigo Jardim, Nelson Kotowski, Alberto M. R. Dávila, Hélio R. Sampaio-Filho, Karina G. S. Ruiz, Flávio H. B. Aguiar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Biomedicines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/583
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849341871690612736
author Simone G. de Oliveira
Rodrigo Jardim
Nelson Kotowski
Alberto M. R. Dávila
Hélio R. Sampaio-Filho
Karina G. S. Ruiz
Flávio H. B. Aguiar
author_facet Simone G. de Oliveira
Rodrigo Jardim
Nelson Kotowski
Alberto M. R. Dávila
Hélio R. Sampaio-Filho
Karina G. S. Ruiz
Flávio H. B. Aguiar
author_sort Simone G. de Oliveira
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Dental caries remains a prevalent chronic disease globally, driven by complex interactions between the host, diet, and microbial communities. This study employs a metatranscriptomic RNA-Seq analysis to explore the functional dynamics of the dentin microbiome in both healthy and carious teeth. By examining the transcriptional activity of bacterial communities, we aimed to identify key microbial species and molecular functions associated with caries progression. <b>Methods:</b> Samples from six patients (three healthy and three decayed teeth) were analyzed using the Illumina NovaSeq 2000 platform, with data processed through the SAMSA2 pipeline for taxonomic and functional annotation. <b>Results:</b> The differential expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of <i>Streptococcus</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i> species, including <i>S. mutans</i>, <i>S. sobrinus</i>, and <i>L. salivarius</i>, in carious samples, highlighting their roles in acid production and carbohydrate metabolism. Additionally, <i>Mycobacterium</i> species, known for their biofilm-forming capabilities and acid tolerance, were upregulated in decayed teeth. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis identified unique molecular functions and biological processes in carious teeth, such as carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress response, and bacterial cell wall biogenesis, which are critical for microbial survival in acidic environments. In contrast, healthy teeth exhibited functions related to homeostasis and nutrient acquisition, reflecting a balanced microbial community. <b>Conclusions:</b> The study underscores the polymicrobial nature of dental caries, with multiple bacterial species contributing to disease progression through diverse metabolic and stress-response mechanisms. These findings provide deeper insights into the ecological shifts within the oral microbiome during caries development, emphasizing the importance of a functional metatranscriptomic analysis in understanding the pathogenesis of dental caries.
format Article
id doaj-art-ee4cdebf33da408ab64fbe0b0a69f224
institution Kabale University
issn 2227-9059
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Biomedicines
spelling doaj-art-ee4cdebf33da408ab64fbe0b0a69f2242025-08-20T03:43:33ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-02-0113358310.3390/biomedicines13030583The Dentin Microbiome: A Metatranscriptomic Evaluation of Caries-Associated BacteriaSimone G. de Oliveira0Rodrigo Jardim1Nelson Kotowski2Alberto M. R. Dávila3Hélio R. Sampaio-Filho4Karina G. S. Ruiz5Flávio H. B. Aguiar6Piracicaba School of Dentistry, Campinas State University, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, BrazilComputational Biology and Systems Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, BrazilComputational Biology and Systems Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, BrazilComputational Biology and Systems Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, BrazilSchool of Dentistry, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 13414-903, RJ, BrazilPiracicaba School of Dentistry, Campinas State University, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, BrazilPiracicaba School of Dentistry, Campinas State University, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Dental caries remains a prevalent chronic disease globally, driven by complex interactions between the host, diet, and microbial communities. This study employs a metatranscriptomic RNA-Seq analysis to explore the functional dynamics of the dentin microbiome in both healthy and carious teeth. By examining the transcriptional activity of bacterial communities, we aimed to identify key microbial species and molecular functions associated with caries progression. <b>Methods:</b> Samples from six patients (three healthy and three decayed teeth) were analyzed using the Illumina NovaSeq 2000 platform, with data processed through the SAMSA2 pipeline for taxonomic and functional annotation. <b>Results:</b> The differential expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of <i>Streptococcus</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i> species, including <i>S. mutans</i>, <i>S. sobrinus</i>, and <i>L. salivarius</i>, in carious samples, highlighting their roles in acid production and carbohydrate metabolism. Additionally, <i>Mycobacterium</i> species, known for their biofilm-forming capabilities and acid tolerance, were upregulated in decayed teeth. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis identified unique molecular functions and biological processes in carious teeth, such as carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress response, and bacterial cell wall biogenesis, which are critical for microbial survival in acidic environments. In contrast, healthy teeth exhibited functions related to homeostasis and nutrient acquisition, reflecting a balanced microbial community. <b>Conclusions:</b> The study underscores the polymicrobial nature of dental caries, with multiple bacterial species contributing to disease progression through diverse metabolic and stress-response mechanisms. These findings provide deeper insights into the ecological shifts within the oral microbiome during caries development, emphasizing the importance of a functional metatranscriptomic analysis in understanding the pathogenesis of dental caries.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/583cariesRNA-Seqmutanslactobacillusoxidative stressinflammation
spellingShingle Simone G. de Oliveira
Rodrigo Jardim
Nelson Kotowski
Alberto M. R. Dávila
Hélio R. Sampaio-Filho
Karina G. S. Ruiz
Flávio H. B. Aguiar
The Dentin Microbiome: A Metatranscriptomic Evaluation of Caries-Associated Bacteria
Biomedicines
caries
RNA-Seq
mutans
lactobacillus
oxidative stress
inflammation
title The Dentin Microbiome: A Metatranscriptomic Evaluation of Caries-Associated Bacteria
title_full The Dentin Microbiome: A Metatranscriptomic Evaluation of Caries-Associated Bacteria
title_fullStr The Dentin Microbiome: A Metatranscriptomic Evaluation of Caries-Associated Bacteria
title_full_unstemmed The Dentin Microbiome: A Metatranscriptomic Evaluation of Caries-Associated Bacteria
title_short The Dentin Microbiome: A Metatranscriptomic Evaluation of Caries-Associated Bacteria
title_sort dentin microbiome a metatranscriptomic evaluation of caries associated bacteria
topic caries
RNA-Seq
mutans
lactobacillus
oxidative stress
inflammation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/583
work_keys_str_mv AT simonegdeoliveira thedentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT rodrigojardim thedentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT nelsonkotowski thedentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT albertomrdavila thedentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT heliorsampaiofilho thedentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT karinagsruiz thedentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT flaviohbaguiar thedentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT simonegdeoliveira dentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT rodrigojardim dentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT nelsonkotowski dentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT albertomrdavila dentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT heliorsampaiofilho dentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT karinagsruiz dentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria
AT flaviohbaguiar dentinmicrobiomeametatranscriptomicevaluationofcariesassociatedbacteria