Streptococcus salivarius ameliorates the destructive effect on the epithelial barrier by inhibiting the growth of Prevotella melaninogenica via metabolic acid production

Abstract Background Oral lichen planus (OLP) is one of the most common oral mucosal diseases, exhibiting a higher prevalence in women than men, but its pathogenesis is still unclear. Current research suggests that microbial dysbiosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OLP. Our previous research has found that the increase of Prevotella melaninogenica and decrease of Streptococcus salivarius have been identified as a potential pathogenic factor in OLP. Consequently, the objective of this study is to examine whether S. salivarius can counteract the detrimental effects of P. melaninogenica on the integrity of the epithelial barrier function. Materials and methods Epithelial barrier disruption was induced by P. melaninogenica in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). HaCaT cells were pretreated with S. salivarius (MOI = 20) or cell‐free supernatant for 3 h, followed by treatment with P. melaninogenica (MOI = 5) for 3 h. The epithelial barrier integrity of HaCaT cells was detected by FD4 permeability. The mRNA level of tight junction protein was detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Immunofluorescence and Western Blot were used to detect the protein expression of zonula occludin‐1 (ZO‐1). The serial dilution‐spotting assay was applied to monitor the viability of P. melaninogenica at the end of 8 and 24 h incubation. Results Challenge by P. melaninogenica decreased the levels of tight junction proteins, including occludin, ZO‐1, and claudin in HaCaT cells. S. salivarius or its cell‐free supernatant inhibited the down‐regulation of ZO‐1 mRNA and protein expression levels induced by P. melaninogenica and thus improved the epithelial barrier function. The inhibitory effect of the cell‐free supernatant of S. salivarius on the growth of P. melaninogenica is associated with metabolic acid production rather than with bacteriocins and hydrogen peroxide. Conclusions These results suggest that live S. salivarius or its cell‐free supernatant significantly ameliorated the disruption of epithelial tight junctions induced by P. melaninogenica , likely through the inhibition of P. melaninogenica growth mediated by metabolic acid production.