Exploring the Impact of Biotic and Abiotic Surfaces on Protein Binding Modulation and Bacteria Attachment: Integrating Biological and Mathematical Approaches

The oral environment is composed of a diverse array of proteins, and any substrate inserted into this habitat promptly becomes subjected to protein adsorption and bacterial colonization. However, the predictive and modulatory nature of implant surfaces coated with salivary pellicle proteomes in microbial adhesion has not been explored using high-throughput techniques. Thus, using human saliva for salivary pellicle adsorption and microbial accumulation, we compared adsorption and community formation on titanium (Ti) biomaterials (implant devices) and dental surfaces (enamel and dentine). The proteomic profile was evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, and the microbiome was assessed using 16S RNA sequencing. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) were used to quantify variation in analyte amounts and identify likely biomarkers. Substrates were analyzed regarding their physical, chemical, and topographical properties. Our results showed that the salivary pellicle proteomes on Ti exhibited differences in composition and protein intensities compared with dental surfaces. These differences in proteomes affected the biological processes at the level of microbiome accumulation. Geometric analysis showed greater similarity between Ti and enamel proteomes, while dentine differed markedly. Ti harbors a microbiome community that differs from that of dental surfaces. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) pinpointed proteins that promoted or inhibited the adherence of specific microbes. Apolipoprotein E showed a strong negative correlation (>0.8) with <i>Streptococcus parasanguinis</i>. Higher levels of the protein on dental surfaces were associated with reduced microbial adhesion, whereas its absence on Ti surfaces facilitated increased bacterial adhesion. These findings provide valuable insights into the initial biological responses after the insertion of implanted devices, which can be leveraged by biomedical engineering to develop biomaterials with enhanced outcomes and prevent microbial accumulation.