Bitter taste receptor T2R14 detects quorum sensing molecules from cariogenic Streptococcus mutans and mediates innate immune responses in gingival epithelial cells

Abstract Host‐pathogen interactions play an important role in defining the outcome of a disease. Recent studies have shown that the bacterial quorum sensing molecules (QSM) can interact with host cell membrane proteins, mainly G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), and induce innate immune responses. However, few studies have examined QSM‐GPCR interactions and their influence on oral innate immune responses. In this study, we examined the role of bitter taste receptor T2R14 in sensing competence stimulating peptides (CSPs) secreted by cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans and in mediating innate immune responses in gingival epithelial cells (GECs). Transcriptomic and western blot analyses identify T2R14 to be highly expressed in GECs. Our data show that only CSP‐1 from S. mutans induces robust intracellular calcium mobilization compared to CSP‐2 and CSP‐3. By using CRISPR‐Cas9, we demonstrate that CSP‐1 induced calcium signaling and secretion of cytokines CXCL‐8/IL‐8, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 is mediated through T2R14 in GECs. Interestingly, the NF‐kB signaling activated by CSP‐1 in GECs was independent of T2R14. CSP‐1‐primed GECs attracted differentiated HL‐60 immune cells (dHL‐60) and this effect was abolished in T2R14 knock down GECs and also in cells primed with T2R14 antagonist 6‐Methoxyflavone (6‐MF). Our findings identify S. mutans CSP‐1 as a peptide ligand for the T2R family. Our study establishes a novel host‐pathogen interaction between cariogenic S. mutans CSP‐1 and T2R14 in GECs leading to an innate immune response. Collectively, these findings suggest T2Rs as potential therapeutic targets to modulate innate immune responses upon oral bacterial infections.