Data for figure 3 from Impact of the springtail's cuticle nanotopography on bioadhesion and biofilm formation <i>in vitro</i> and in the oral cavity

Springtails (Collembola) have a nano-structured cuticle. To evaluate and to understand anti-biofouling properties of springtail cuticles’ morphology under different conditions, springtails, shed cuticles and cuticle replicates were studied after incubation with protein solutions and bacterial cultures using common <i>in vitro</i> models. In a second step, they were exposed to human oral environment <i>in situ</i> in order to explore potential application in dentistry. <i>In vitro</i>, the cuticular structures were found to resist wetting by albumin solutions for up to 3 h and colonization by <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> was inhibited. When exposed in the oral cavity, initial pellicle formation was of high heterogeneity: parts of the surface were coated by adsorbed proteins, others remained uncoated but exhibited locally attached, ‘bridging’, proteinaceous membranes spanning across cavities of the cuticle surface; this unique phenomenon was observed for the first time. Also the degree of bacterial colonization varied considerably. In conclusion, the springtail cuticle partially modulates bioadhesion in the oral cavity in a unique and specific manner, but it has no universal effect. Especially after longer exposure, the nano-textured surface of springtails is masked by the pellicle, resulting in subsequent bacterial colonization, and, thus, cannot effectively avoid bio-adhesion in the oral cavity comprehensively. Nevertheless, the observed phenomena offer valuable information and new perspectives for the development of antifouling surfaces applicable in the oral cavity.