Binding of streptococci of the "mutans" group to type 1 collagen associated with apatitic surfaces.

The Present study surveyed the ability of 21 strains of cariogenic streptococci of the "mutans" group to bind to human type l collagen adsorbed on hydroxyapatite (HA) surfaces. All strains of Streptocoeeus cricetus (serotype a) and Streptococcus (serotype b) tested attached strongly to collagen HA (C-HA). Streptococcus mutans strain of serotype c and Streptococeus sobrinus strains of serotyped d or g attached poorly, or not at all, to C-HA. S. mutans strains OMZ-175 (serotype f) and B14 (serotype e) were exception which exhibited significant bindings to C-HA. Binding of S. critcetus AHT and S. rattus LB-1 to C-HA occured in a dose-dependent manner, and was specific since it was inhibited by the presence of soluble collagen, but not by egg albumin, or by human fibrinogen or fibronectin. Binding occured maximally between pH 6 and was not affected by any of several sugar tested . Trypsin treatment the streptococci had little affect but heating at 100°C reduced their ability to blind to C-HA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]