Effects of modified pellicles on Candida biofilm formation on acrylic surfaces

The role of saliva or serum proteins, such as mucin, fibronectin (FN) and mannan-binding protein, on Candida biofilm formation was investigated. Supplementation of saliva with FN had no significant effect on biofilm formation. In contrast, biofilm formation on either mucin-coated or FN-coatcd acrylic surfaces was significantly less than that of the control. These results suggest that salivary mucin or FN alone does not facilitate biofilm formation of Candida. Supplementation of serum with FN increased biofilm formation of C. glabrata compared with the control. Pretreatment of serum with anti-FN monoclonal antibody significantly reduced biofilm formation, as did pretreatment of serum with anti-mannan-binding protein monoclonal antibody or Con-A. Therefore, Candida biofilm formation on acrylic surfaces appears to be a complex phenomenon involving a multiplicity of proteins operating intraorally.