Salivary receptors for the proline-rich protein-binding and lectin-like adhesins of oral actinomyces and streptococci.

Colonization of the tooth surface by actinomyces and viridans group streptococci involves the attachment of these bacteria to adsorbed salivary components of the acquired enamel pellicle. The hypothesis that this attachment depends on specific adhesins has now been assessed from the binding of bacteria with well-defined adhesive properties to blots of SDS-PAGE-separated parotid and submandibular-sublingual (SM-SL) saliva. Streptococcus sanguis and type 2 fimbriated Actinomyces naeslundii, which bound terminal sialic acid and Galbeta1-3GalNAc, respectively, recognized only a few SM-SL salivary components, primarily MG2. In contrast, type 1 fimbriated A. naeslundii and S. gordonii, which bound purified proline-rich proteins (PRPs), recognized several other components from both SM-SL and parotid saliva. Significantly, bacteria that lacked PRP-binding and the lectin-like activities detected by binding to MG2 failed to bind any immobilized salivary component. These findings suggest the involvement of specific adhesins in bacterial recognition of many adsorbed salivary proteins and glycoproteins.

Adhesion of viridans group streptococci to sialic acid-, galactose- and N-acetylgalactosamine-containing receptors.

The binding of 10 viridans group streptococci to sialic acid-, galactose (Gal)- and N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-containing receptors was defined by analysis of the interactions between these bacteria and structurally defined glycoconjugates, host cells and other streptococci. All interactions with sialic acid-containing receptors were Ca(2+)-independent as they were not affected by ethyleneglycoltetraacetic acid (EGTA), whereas all interactions with Gal- and GalNAc-containing receptors were Ca(2+)-dependent. Recognition of sialic acid-, Gal- and GalNAc-containing receptors varied widely among the strains examined, in a manner consistent with the association of each of the three lectin-like activities with a different bacterial cell surface component.

Identification of polymorphonuclear leukocyte and HL-60 cell receptors for adhesins of Streptococcus gordonii and Actinomyces naeslundii.

Interactions of oral streptococci and actinomyces with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), mediated by sialic acid- and Gal/GalNAc-reactive adhesins, respectively, result in activation of the PMNs and thereby may contribute to the initiation of oral inflammation. Sialidase treatment of PMNs or HL-60 cells abolished adhesion of Streptococcus gordonii but was required for adhesion of Actinomyces naeslundii. The same effects of sialidase were noted for adhesion of these bacteria to a major 150-kDa surface glycoprotein of either PMNs or undifferentiated HL-60 cells and to a 130-kDa surface glycoprotein of differentiated HL-60 cells. These glycoproteins were both identified as leukosialin (CD43) by immunoprecipitation with a specific monoclonal antibody (MAb). Adhesion of streptococci and actinomyces to a 200-kDa minor PMN surface glycoprotein was also detected by bacterial overlay of untreated and sialidase-treated nitrocellulose transfers, respectively. This glycoprotein was identified as leukocyte common antigen (CD45) by immunoprecipitation with a specific MAb. CD43 and CD45 both possess extracellular mucinlike domains in addition to intracellular domains that are implicated in signal transduction. Consequently, the interactions of streptococci and actinomyces with the mucinlike domains of these mammalian cell surface glycoproteins result not only in adhesion but, in addition, may represent the initial step in PMN activation by these bacteria.

Reducing the burden of oral and pharyngeal cancers.

In the United States, oral and pharyngeal cancers continue to result in significant morbidity and mortality. Dental professionals play a pivotal role in all facets of controlling the burden of oral and pharyngeal cancer-from efforts to prevent its occurrence, to ensuring that oral cancers are detected at the earliest possible stage, to treating these cancers, and to ensuring maximum quality of life and function for oral and pharyngeal cancer survivors. Individually and by making linkages within the community and beyond, dentists can help patients modify their risk of these cancers and can take steps to screen for them, thereby potentially improving survival and function of those who develop oral cancer. Creative partnerships between community dentists and academic and other research centers will help move knowledge of the biological processes involved in carcinogenesis and innovations in treatment into clinical practice. Partnerships between dental and medical professionals may also help efforts to reduce the morbidity related to oral and pharyngeal cancers. Local, state and national multidisciplinary initiatives are emerging that focus more broadly on risk factor control or oral and pharyngeal cancer issues. These many forms of cooperative approaches offer excellent opportunities to make a significant impact on reducing the incidence of and in treating these debilitating and disfiguring malignancies.

Scientific progress in understanding oral and pharyngeal cancers.

Oral and pharyngeal cancers result from a complex interaction between genetic susceptibility and behavioral factors. Improved understanding of the underlying genetic events has led to insights about how oral and pharyngeal cancers develop and suggests promising new treatments. Tobacco and alcohol consumption are associated with most oral and pharyngeal cancers. Dental professionals' efforts to modify their patients' tobacco and alcohol use and to detect oral lesions at an early stage, together with scientific advances, will help reduce the impact of these cancers.

Structural and antigenic types of cell wall polysaccharides from viridans group streptococci with receptors for oral actinomyces and streptococcal lectins.

Lectin-mediated interactions between oral viridans group streptococci and actinomyces may play an important role in microbial colonization of the tooth surface. The presence of two host-like motifs, either GalNAc beta1-->3Gal (Gn) or Gal beta1-->3GalNAc (G), in the cell wall polysaccharides of five streptococcal strains accounts for the lactose-sensitive coaggregations of these bacteria with Actinomyces naeslundii. Three streptococcal strains which have Gn-containing polysaccharides also participate in GalNAc-sensitive coaggregations with strains of Streptococcus gordonii and S. sanguis. Each Gn- or G-containing polysaccharide is composed of a distinct phosphodiester-linked hexa- or heptasaccharide repeating unit. The occurrence of these polysaccharides on 19 additional viridans group streptococcal strains that participate in lactose-sensitive coaggregations with actinomyces was examined. Negatively charged polysaccharides that reacted with Bauhinia purpurea agglutinin, a Gal and GalNAc binding plant lectin, were isolated from 17 strains by anion exchange column chromatography of mutanolysin-cell wall digests. Results from nuclear magnetic resonance and immunodiffusion identified each of 16 polysaccharides as a known Gn- or G-containing structural type and one polysaccharide as a new but closely related Gn-containing type. Unlike the reactions of lectins, the cross-reactions of most rabbit antisera with these polysaccharides were correlated with structural features other than the host-like motifs. Gn-containing polysaccharides occurred primarily on the strains of S. sanguis and S. oralis while G-containing polysaccharides were more common among the strains of S. gordonii and S. mitis examined. The findings strongly support the hypothesis that lectin-mediated recognition of these streptococci by other oral bacteria depends on a family of antigenically diverse Gn- and G-containing cell wall polysaccharides, the occurrence of which may differ between streptococcal species.

A specific cell surface antigen of Streptococcus gordonii is associated with bacterial hemagglutination and adhesion to alpha2-3-linked sialic acid-containing receptors.

A Ca2+-independent lectin activity for alpha2-3-linked sialic acid-containing receptors is associated with Streptococcus gordonii DL1 (Challis) but not with a spontaneous mutant, strain D102, that specifically lacks hemagglutinating activity. Comparison of crossed-immunoelectrophoresis patterns of parent and mutant sonicated cell extracts identified a unique antigen (Hs antigen) in the parent cell extract that was purified by DEAE Sephacel column chromatography and by a wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) lectin affinity column. The purified antigen formed a single arc in crossed immunoelectrophoresis with anti-DL1 serum and migrated as a diffuse band above the 200-kDa marker in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Immunoelectron microscopy with specific anti-Hs antibody revealed labeling of structures in the fibrillar layer of strain DL1 and no labeling of fibrillar structures on strain D102. Rabbit anti-DL1 serum and anti-Hs Fab inhibited the hemagglutinating activity of strain DL1, and the inhibition was specifically neutralized by purified Hs antigen. Anti-Hs Fab did not inhibit the hemagglutinating activities of several heterologous S. gordonii strains; however, these bacteria were agglutinated by anti-Hs immunoglobulin G and also by WGA. In contrast, two S. gordonii strains that lacked hemagglutinating activity did not react with anti-Hs antibody or with WGA. These findings associate the sialic acid-binding lectin activity of S. gordonii DL1 with a specific fibrillar antigen, which is composed of protein and WGA reactive carbohydrate, and indicate that cross-reactive antigens occur on other strains of this species that possess hemagglutinating activity.

Specific inhibitors of bacterial adhesion: observations from the study of gram-positive bacteria that initiate biofilm formation on the tooth surface.

Oral surfaces are bathed in secretory antibodies and other salivary macromolecules that are potential inhibitors of specific microbial adhesion. Indigenous Gram-positive bacteria that colonize teeth, including viridans streptococci and actinomyces, may avoid inhibition of adhesion by host secretory molecules through various strategies that involve the structural design and binding properties of bacterial adhesins and receptors. Further studies to define the interactions of these molecules within the host environment may suggest novel approaches for the control of oral biofilm formation.

Recognition of immunoglobulin A1 by oral actinomyces and streptococcal lectins.

Actinomyces naeslundii and Streptococcus gordonii, oral bacteria that possess Gal/GalNAc- and sialic acid-reactive lectins, respectively, were adherent to immobilized secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) and two IgA1 myeloma proteins but not to two IgA2 myeloma proteins. Apparently, O-linked oligosaccharides at the hinge region of the IgA1 heavy chain are receptors for lectin-mediated adhesion of these bacteria.

Lectin recognition of host-like saccharide motifs in streptococcal cell wall polysaccharides.

Viridans streptococci that participate in the microbial colonization of teeth have cell wall polysaccharides composed of linear phosphodiester-linked hexa- or heptasaccharide repeating units, each containing a host-like disaccharide motif, either Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc or GalNAc beta 1-->3Gal. Whereas strains with GalNAc beta 1-->3Gal-containing polysaccharides co-aggregated with streptococci that possess GalNAc-sensitive lectins, strains with either host-like motif co-aggregated with Actinomyces spp. The latter interactions reflected the specificity of Actinomyces spp. lectins for common features of Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc and GalNAc beta 1-->3Gal. Thus, alpha-linked glycosides of both disaccharides were much more potent inhibitors of co-aggregation than Gal or GalNAc. Six non-bacterial lectins also reacted with the streptococcal polysaccharides. In general, precipitation of each lectin with each polysaccharide involved binding of Gal or GalNAc within the host-like motifs, but not saccharides outside these regions. The lectins of Ricinus communis, Abrus precatorius, Codium fragile and Agaricus bisporus were most reactive with the Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc-containing polysaccharides, the Wisteria floribunda lectin with the GalNAc beta 1-->3Gal-containing polysaccharides and the Bauhinia purpurea lectin with polysaccharides containing either disaccharide. Thus, lectin recognition of the streptococcal cell wall polysaccharides involved either the common or specific sides of the Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc and GalNAc beta 1-->3Gal motifs present within these molecules.

Putative glycoprotein and glycolipid polymorphonuclear leukocyte receptors for the Actinomyces naeslundii WVU45 fimbrial lectin.

Recognition of receptors on sialidase-treated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by the Gal/GalNAc lectin associated with the type 2 fimbriae of certain strains of actinomyces results in activation of the PMNs, phagocytosis, and destruction of the bacteria. In the present study, plant lectins were utilized as probes to identify putative PMN receptors for the actinomyces lectin. The Gal-reactive lectin from Ricinus communis (RCAI), the Gal/GalNAc-reactive lectins from R. communis (RCAII) and Bauhinia purpurea (BPA), as well as the Gal beta 1-3GalNAc-specific lectins from Arachis hypogaea (PNA) and Agaricus bisporus (ABA) inhibited killing of Actinomyces naeslundii WVU45 by sialidase-treated PMNs. These five lectins detected a 130-kDa surface-labeled glycoprotein on nitrocellulose transfers of PMN extracts separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This glycoprotein was revealed only after treatment of the transfers with sialidase, a condition analogous to the sialidase dependence of the lectin-mediated biological responses of the PMNs to the actinomyces. The mannose-reactive lectin concanavalin A did not inhibit killing of the actinomyces and failed to detect the 130-kDa glycoprotein but did block PMN-dependent killing of Escherichia coli B, a bacterium that possesses mannose-sensitive fimbriae. Therefore, the PMN glycoprotein receptor for A. naeslundii is clearly distinct from those recognized by E. coli. Two major putative glycolipid receptors were also identified by actinomyces and RCAI overlays on sialidase-treated thin-layer chromatograms of PMN gangliosides. Thus, both a 130-kDa glycoprotein and certain gangliosides are implicated in the attachment of the actinomyces to PMNs.

Immunochemical and functional studies of Actinomyces viscosus T14V type 1 fimbriae with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies directed against the fimbrial subunit.

Each of five monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) prepared against the type 1 fimbriae of Actinomyces viscosus T14V reacted with a 54 kDa cloned protein previously identified as a fimbrial subunit. This purified protein completely inhibited the reaction of a specific anti-type-1-fimbria rabbit antibody with A. viscosus whole cells. Maximum values for the number of antibody molecules bound per bacterial cell ranged from 7 x 10(3) to 1.2 x 10(4) for the different 125I-labelled mAbs and was approximately 7 x 10(4) for 125I-labelled rabbit IgG or Fab against either type 1 fimbriae or the 54 kDa cloned protein. Although the different mAbs, either individually or as a mixture, failed to inhibit the type-1-fimbria-mediated adherence of A. viscosus T14V to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite, each rabbit antibody gave 50% inhibition of adherence when approximately 5 x 10(4) molecules of IgG were bound per cell. However, binding of each corresponding rabbit Fab had no significant effect on bacterial attachment unless much higher concentrations were used. These findings suggest that antibodies directed solely against the 54 kDa fimbrial subunit do not react with the putative receptor binding sites of A. viscosus T14V type 1 fimbriae. Instead, inhibition of attachment by the polyclonal antibodies may depend on an indirect effect of antibody binding that prevents the fimbria-receptor interaction.

Cooperative complement- and bacterial lectin-initiated bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The recognition of glycoconjugate receptors on sialidase-treated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by the Gal/GalNAc-reactive fimbrial lectin of Actinomyces viscosus T14V has previously been shown to initiate lactose-inhibitable phagocytosis and subsequent killing of the bacteria. Although a mutant lacking fimbriae, A. viscosus 147, was not destroyed by this mechanism, the present studies demonstrate that the deposition of C3 fragments on this bacterium by anti-A. viscosus 147 immunoglobulin M (IgM) prior to incubation with either untreated or sialidase-treated PMNs correlated with a reduction in viability of approximately 2 log10. This bactericidal activity was unaffected by lactose. A similar decrease in viability was observed following the addition of untreated PMNs to A. viscosus T14V preincubated with anti-A. viscosus 147 IgM and complement, conditions favorable for C3- but not lectin-mediated bactericidal activity. Neither IgM nor complement alone was opsonic for either strain, and individually they did not alter killing of A. viscosus T14V by sialidase-treated PMNs or inhibition of this bactericidal activity by lactose. The number of viable A. viscosus T14V cells was decreased by approximately 3.5 log10 when the bacteria were incubated with IgM and complement prior to the addition of sialidase-treated PMNs, and lactose only partially inhibited this response. Thus, the PMN-dependent bactericidal activity initiated by the participation of both the actinomyces lectin and complement was significantly greater than that achieved by either ligand alone.

Complement activation by individual and combinations of monoclonal antibodies to Actinomyces viscosus T14V fimbriae: a probe for epitope distribution on these polymeric proteins.

The spatial requirements for IgG activation of the classical complement pathway has provided a basis for utilizing complement consumption by individual and pairs of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to compare the repeating epitope patterns of the type 1 and type 2 fimbriae of Actinomyces viscosus T14V and to examine the co-operative effects of mAbs against these polymeric proteins. Three of five mAbs specific for the type 1 fimbriae consumed complement when assayed individually. Four patterns of complement consumption were detected with pairs of these mAbs: inhibition, addition, enhancement or synergy. Inhibition occurred when both members of a pair reacted with the same epitope but only one consumed complement. A strictly additive effect was observed if both mAbs consumed complement and, in addition, recognized the same epitope. Complement consumption by mAbs against certain epitopes was enhanced by non-complement consuming mAbs that reacted with different epitopes. Synergy was observed with extremely low concentrations of two mAbs each of which reacted with a different epitope and consumed complement. In contrast to the anti-type 1 mAbs, only one of seven mAbs against the type 2 fimbriae consumed more than 20% of the available complement. Pairs of anti-type 2 mAbs exhibited only inhibition or synergy. The latter effect was particularly striking as pairs containing mAbs that reacted with different epitopes and failed to consume complement or were minimally active when assayed individually were extremely efficient. These data indicated that the spatial arrangements of individual mAbs bound to repeating epitopes in the type 1, but not the type 2, fimbriae were appropriate for activation of complement. Thus, the repeating epitope patterns of the two types of fimbriae apparently differ.

Mutants of Actinomyces viscosus T14V lacking type 1, type 2, or both types of fimbriae.

Mutants of Actinomyces viscosus T14V lacking type 1 or type 2 fimbriae or both were selected by their failure to react with rabbit antibodies against either or both fimbrial antigens. Immunospecific double labeling with iron dextran and ferritin-conjugated antibodies showed two types of fimbriae on individual cells of the parent organism, a single type on mutant strains with type 1+2- and type 1-2+ fimbriae and no labeled or unlabeled fimbriae on a type 1-2- fimbria-deficient strain. The mutational loss of one fimbrial antigen did not appear to affect expression of the other, since bacteria with one or two types of fimbriae bound similar amounts of a monoclonal antibody directed against the fimbrial antigen present on both bacterial phenotypes. The strong adsorption of strains with type 1+2+ or 1+2- fimbriae to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite and weak adsorption of those with type 1-2+ or no fimbriae was consistent with the known involvement of type 1 fimbriae in this attachment process. Similarly, the A. viscosus lectin was clearly associated with the expression of type 2 fimbriae, since only the strains with type 1+2+ or 1-2+ fimbriae participated in lactose-sensitive coaggregations with Streptococcus sanguis 34. Further studies using the fimbria-deficient mutant strains showed that aggregation of A. viscosus T14V in the presence of sialidase-treated human saliva involved both types of fimbriae, whereas neither type was required for the lactose-resistant coaggregation of the organism with certain streptococcal strains.

Stimulation of superoxide and lactoferrin release from polymorphonuclear leukocytes by the type 2 fimbrial lectin of Actinomyces viscosus T14V.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-dependent destruction of Actinomyces viscosus T14V is initiated by the recognition of galactose-containing receptors on sialidase-treated PMNs by the lectin associated with the type 2 fimbriae of these bacteria. A. viscosus T14V also stimulates the respiratory burst in PMNs as well as the release of contents of the secondary granules, as determined by the presence of lactoferrin in the culture supernatants. Under the experimental conditions employed, these bacteria do not induce the release of beta-glucuronidase, a constituent of primary granules. None of the three PMN responses studied occurs in cultures containing a mutant of A. viscosus T14V that lacks fimbriae. Activation of the PMNs is mediated by the lectin associated with the type 2 fimbriae, as demonstrated by the finding that beta-linked galactosides inhibit stimulation of the respiratory burst. Thus, the interaction of the Actinomyces fimbrial lectin with its complementary receptors on PMNs results not only in killing of these bacteria but also in the release of reactive oxygen intermediates and enzymes that may be detrimental to surrounding host tissues.

Identification of C3d receptors on Candida albicans.

Pseudohyphal but not yeast forms of Candida albicans possess both iC3b and C3d receptors, as determined by rosetting with erythrocytes carrying iC3b (EAC3bi) or C3d (EAC3d). Rosetting with EAC3d was markedly reduced when pseudohyphae were heat killed or treated with trypsin or pronase but was not inhibited by several saccharides or aminosaccharides, including alpha-methyl-D-mannoside, or by pretreatment of pseudohyphae with concanavalin A. However, mannoproteins obtained by concanavalin A affinity chromatography of whole pseudohyphal extracts inhibited the attachment of EAC3d to C. albicans, whereas soluble (nonmannosylated) proteins were less active. Thus, although the C3d receptors appeared to be glycosylated, the oligosaccharide component of the receptor was apparently not involved in the recognition of C3d. To isolate these receptors, whole-cell extracts were separated by DEAE-Trisacryl chromatography. Fractions that inhibited rosetting were pooled and affinity purified by C3d-Thiol-Sepharose chromatography. The eluate from this affinity column inhibited attachment of C. albicans to EAC3d. Monoclonal antibodies to C. albicans were prepared, and three of these antibodies blocked rosetting. Western blotting (immunoblotting) with these antibodies indicated the presence of 62- and 70-kilodalton receptors for C3d in the extracts purified by C3d affinity chromatography and separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Molecular basis of bacterial adhesion in the oral cavity.

The two varieties of fimbriae identified on oral strains of actinomyces have distinct functional properties. The type 1 fimbriae of Actinomyces viscosus T14V mediate attachment to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite. Type 2 fimbriae--on A. viscosus and the only fimbriae detected on A. naeslundii WVU45--are associated with lectin activity. Interaction of these fimbriae with complementary receptors initiates bacterial attachment to Streptococcus sanguis 34 and sialidase-treated epithelial cells and the killing of actinomyces by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), and related oligosaccharides inhibit these processes, and mutants lacking type 2 fimbriae do not participate in them. The actinomyces lectin is similar to lectins from Ricinus communis and Bauhinia purpurea that agglutinate certain strains of oral streptococci, block attachment of actinomyces to epithelial cells, and inhibit killing of actinomyces by PMNs. The S. sanguis receptor for the actinomyces lectin comprises repeating hexasaccharide units with GalNAc termini. Used as probes, the peanut agglutinin, with specificity for Gal(beta-3)GalNAc, and the lectin from B. purpurea detect a 160-kilodalton (kdal) band in SDS-PAGE-separated epithelial cell extracts and a 100-kdal band in PMN extracts. These may be receptors for type 2 fimbriae. A. viscosus genes encoding subunits of types 1 and 2 fimbriae have been cloned in Escherichia coli; the type 1 subunit is 65 kdal and the type 2 subunit is 59 kdal. Submandibular immunization of mice with a mixture of type 1 and type 2 fimbriae evokes the production of IgA and IgG antibodies in serum and saliva that inhibit in vitro adsorption of A. viscosus to SHA. These antibodies may modulate colonization of teeth by this organism.

Binding of Actinomyces naeslundii to glycosphingolipids.

The type 2 fimbrial lectin of Actinomyces naeslundii WVU45 mediated the binding of this bacterium to glycosphingolipids chromatographed on thin-layer silica gel plates. Radioiodinated bacteria attached to GM1, GD1b, and globoside. After chromatograms were treated with sialidase, the bacteria also bound to GD1a and GT1b. The actinomyces lectin apparently recognized the Gal beta 3GalNAc termini of these gangliosides and the GalNAc beta 3Gal terminus of globoside, suggesting that glycolipids containing these sequences may serve as receptors for A. naeslundii on mammalian cells.

Type 2 fimbrial lectin-mediated phagocytosis of oral Actinomyces spp. by polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Phagocytosis of Actinomyces viscosus T14V and A. naeslundii WVU45 by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the absence of antibody or complement was mediated by the lectin associated with the type 2 fimbriae of these bacteria. This effect was markedly enhanced by exogenous sialidase, an enzyme also secreted by these actinomyces. Since sialidase treatment of the bacteria did not result in increased phagocytosis, this enzyme presumably acts by unmasking receptors for the fimbrial lectin on phagocytic cells. The viability of A. viscosus T14V, which possesses type 1 and type 2 fimbriae (1+ 2+), and A. naeslundii WVU45, which possesses only type 2 fimbriae (2+), was decreased by at least 98% following incubation with polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of sialidase. Entirely analogous findings were obtained with a 1- 2+ mutant of A. viscosus T14V. In contrast, the phagocytosis of 1+ 2- and 1- 2- mutants of A. viscosus T14V and a 2- mutant of A. naeslundii WVU45 was minimal or absent. Lactose and beta-methylgalactoside inhibited the destruction of the bacteria, whereas cellobiose and alpha-methylgalactoside were ineffective. Thus, the type 2 fimbriae of the oral actinomyces recognize galactose-containing receptors on polymorphonuclear leukocytes which have been exposed by the removal of sialic acid, an interaction that is followed by internalization and subsequent killing of the bacteria.