ABSTRACT
Objective Streptococcus sanguis is a possible candidate bacterium for the caries replacement therapy, which has no advantages in the acidic environment.The aim of the study was to construct acid-resistant strains of Streptococcus sanguis, determine its acid tolerance, and explore the mechanism of its antagonism against Sterptococcus mutans.Methods By gradually reducing the pH value of the medium, we constructed acid-resistant strains of Streptococcus sanguis, observed their growth and measured their acid tolerance according to their survival rate against lethal pH.We evaluated the competitive relationship between Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans by plate experiment and detected the changes of related acid resistance genes by real-time quantitative PCR.Results The growth of Streptococcus sanguis and its acid-resistant strains were limited by the pH value, and that of Streptococcus sanguis was better in either acidic or normal environment.The lethal pH value of Streptococcus sanguis was 3.6, that of its acid-resistant strains was 2.3, and the survival rate of the acid-resistant strains was 66.59% in the pH 3.6 environment.In comparison, the lethal pH value of Streptococcus mutans was 2.5, that of its acid-resistant strains was 2.1, and the survival rate of the acid-resistant strains was 2.55% in the pH 2.5 environment.In the presence of chloramphenicol, the acid-resistant strains could not survive in the original lethal pH.In the sub-lethal pH environment, the expressions of the acid resistance-related genes Groel and Dnak in the acid-resistant strains were significantly up-regulated as compared with those in the original Streptococcus sanguis (P<0.05).Conclusion Streptococcus sanguis has an acid adaptability and can enhance acid resistance in the sub-lethal pH environment.Acid-resistant Streptococcus sanguis in the replacement therapy may provide some new ideas for the treatment of dental caries.