Neuraminidase-activated Attachment of Actinomyces naeslundii ATCC 12104 to Human Buccal Epithelial Cells

The attachment of Actinomyces naeslundii ATCC 12104 to human buccal epithelial cells pre-treated with neuraminidase (sialidase) was evaluated. Both commercial clostridial neuraminidase and neuraminidase preparations from the test strain of A. naeslundii enhanced attachment. The results suggest that the A. naeslundii β-galactoside-seeking ligand involved in hemagglutination and interbacterial coaggregation also mediates one type of binding to human buccal epithelial cells.