OBJECTIVETo analyze the capsule related surface properties of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) isolates.

METHODSThe transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the capsule structure and the capsule thickness of 2 type of strains and 5 clinical isolates. Microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) assay was used to qualitatively assess the hydrophobicity of each strain, and the capacities of these strains were investigated by autoaggregation assay.Ninety-six well biofilm assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were applied to quantify and observe the biofilm produced by each strain.

RESULTSTEM showed the variety of capsule thickness of these strains.Virulent type strain W83 possessed thicker capsular structure than less-virulent type strain ATCC33277. The SJD4 possessed thicker capsule than other clinical isolates, followed by SJD11, SJD5, SJD2, and SJD12.Strains W83, SJD4, SJD11, with thicker capsule, were much more hydrophilic with lower MATH percentage, in accordance with a slow autoaggregation in incubation during a period of 240 min. Compared with W83, the hydrophobicity of strains ATCC33277, SJD5, SJD2, and SJD12, with thinner capsule, showed increased MATH percentage and autoaggregations. All clinical strains developed biofilm with different absorbance compared with type strains. The CLSM observation showed biofilm thickness of each strain, ranged from (14.74 ± 4.99) to (24.13 ± 5.45) µm. Strain W83 and SJD11 showed notable poor biofilm formation, while others developed dense and mature biofilm.

CONCLUSIONSThere was a certain degree of linkage between the Pg capsule thickness and surface properties diversity.