Adhesion of non-coccal dental plaque microorganisms to buccal epithelial cells: Inhibition by saliva and amphipathic agents

In the present investigation, the in vitro adhesion of dispersed non-coccal dental plaque bacteria to buccal epithelial cells was examined. Human buccal epithelial cells, incubated in the presence of dispersed supragingival dental plaque, bound averages of ca. 6-15 non-coccal forms/epithelial cell, as opposed to indigenous levels of only 0.2-0.6 on buccal epithelial cells incubated in buffer alone. Adhesion was strongly inhibited by amphipathic agents (Tween 80, sodium dodecyl sulphate, and emulsan), and by saliva. The data suggests firstly that non-coccal bacteria can adhere to epithelial cells in vitro, but may be prevented from doing so in situ by saliva, and secondly that hydrophobic interactions may help mediate the observed adhesion.