Host‐microbe interactions in reconstructed human gingiva in vitro

In this thesis we investigate host-microbe interactions on reconstructed human gingiva (RHG) in vitro. Our results suggest:
1) The multi-species commensal microcosm biofilm promotes the barrier function of RHG, mimicking the beneficial influence of the oral microbiome on the host in vivo.
2) The underlying mechanisms by which the commensal biofilm influence RHG are different from that of the gingivitis and cariogenic (pathogenic) biofilms, e.g. TLR signaling pathways are differentially regulated.
3) That crosstalk occurs, with microbes constantly influencing the host, and host factors e.g. nutrients and different oral surfaces, also constantly influencing the community structures of the local microbiome.
4) Host-commensal interactions also influence other host events: when living commensal bacteria Streptococcus mitis is exposed to RHG/RHS (reconstructed human skin), the host tissues respond differentially to metals nickel and titanium, with regards to the innate immune response.
Taken together, our results describe host-microbe interplay in a human organotypic model which mimics both physiological and pathological conditions in vitro. This model can therefore now be used as a valid animal free human model to investigate in further detail, the complex host-microbe interactions and mechanisms involved in oral health and disease.