A review and new perspective on oral bacteriophages: manifestations in the ecology of oral diseases

ABSTRACT

Objective

To explore the manifestations of bacteriophages in different oral disease ecologies, including periodontal diseases, dental caries, endodontic infections, and oral cancer, as well as to propel phage therapy for safer and more effective clinical application in the field of dentistry.

Methods

In this literature review, we outlined interactions between bacteriophages, bacteria and even oral cells in the oral ecosystem, especially in disease states. We also analyzed the current status and future prospects of phage therapy in the perspective of different oral diseases.

Results

Various oral bacteriophages targeting at periodontal pathogens as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Treponema denticola and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, cariogenic pathogen Streptococcus mutans, endodontic pathogen Enterococcus faecalis were predicted or isolated, providing promising options for phage therapy. In the realm of oral cancer, aside from displaying tumor antigens or participating in tumor-targeted therapies, phage-like particle vaccines demonstrated the potential to prevent oral infections caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) associated with head-and-neck cancers.

Conclusion

Due to their intricate interactions with bacteria and oral cells, bacteriophages are closely linked to the progression and regression of diverse oral diseases. And there is an urgent need for research to explore additional possibilities of bacteriophages in the management of oral diseases.

KEYWORDS:

• Bacteriophage
• oral disease
• Streptococcus mutans
• Fusobacterium nucleatum
• Enterococcus faecalis

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32170046, 32322082), the Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2022YFH0048, 2023NSFSC1998), the Research and Develop Program, West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University (RD-03-202402), and the Open Research Fund of Center for Archaeological Science, SCU (23SASB03).

Authors’ contributions

X.G., Y.L., and J.L. contributed to the conception and design and drafted and critically revised the manuscript. X.W., J.S., J.R., and J.Z. contributed to the conception, analysis, and interpretation and critically revised the manuscript. All authors gave final approval and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32170046, 32322082), the Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2022YFH0048, 2023NSFSC1998), the Research and Develop Program, West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University (RD-03-202402), and the Open Research Fund of Center for Archaeological Science, SCU (23SASB03).