Interactions of Porphyromonas gingivalis with Host Cells: Implications for Cardiovascular Diseases
- Autores: Dr. Howard K. Kuramitsu, In-Chol Kang, Minshan Qi
- Localización: Journal of periodontology, ISSN 0022-3492, Vol. 74, Nº. 1, 2003, págs. 85-89
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
Background: Recent epidemiological studies have suggested a contribution of periodontitis in atherosclerotic diseases. Two mechanisms have been proposed to explain such a connection involving general inflammatory responses and/or specific effects of periodontal bacteria on host tissues.
Methods: The role of the periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis as a potential contributor to atherosclerosis has been investigated in model systems using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and murine J774 macrophage cell cultures.
Results: P. gingivalis 381 was demonstrated to induce foam cell formation in J774 macrophage cell cultures in the presence of low-density lipoproteins. The active bacterial component involved in this process appears to be lipopolysaccharide. This effect was not limited to these organisms as several other Gram-positive and Gram-negative oral bacteria exhibited the same property. In addition, in a more specific manner, P. gingivalis induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion in HUVEC cultures.
Conclusions: The fimbriae of strain 381 are important, but are not required, for this inductive effect. Taken together, these results suggest a potential role for P. gingivalis in several steps involved in atherosclerotic lesion formation. J Periodontol 2003; 74:85-89.
