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Experimental Porphyromonas gingivalis infection in nonimmune athymic BALB/c mice
P B Chen1, L B Davern, A Aguirre
1Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York, Buffalo 14214.
Abstract:
The purpose of this report was to study the role of T lymphocytes following injection of Porphyromonas gingivalis in a mouse abscess model. Three invasive P. gingivalis isolates (ATCC 53977, W83, and AJW4) were injected into athymic BALB/c mice and their heterozygous (nu/+) littermates. The athymic BALB/c (nu/nu) mice were able to localize the invasive P. gingivalis isolates at the injection site. By comparison, the heterozygous BALB/c (nu/+) littermates developed hemorrhagic secondary lesions within 24 h after subcutaneous injection of the same invasive P. gingivalis isolates. These results suggest that naive T lymphocytes may contribute to the pathology associated with P. gingivalis infection.
Insights
T lymphocytes play a role in Porphyromonas gingivalis infection. Studies in mice suggest naive T lymphocytes may contribute to the pathology of this bacterial infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Oral Health
Background:
- Porphyromonas gingivalis is an invasive bacterium linked to periodontal disease.
- The role of host immune responses, particularly T lymphocytes, in P. gingivalis pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of T lymphocytes in the host response to Porphyromonas gingivalis infection.
- To elucidate the contribution of T cells to the observed pathology in a mouse abscess model.
Main Methods:
- Injection of three invasive P. gingivalis isolates into athymic (nu/nu) and heterozygous (nu/+) BALB/c mice.
- Observation and comparison of lesion development and bacterial localization between the two mouse strains.
Main Results:
- Athymic mice, lacking functional T lymphocytes, localized P. gingivalis at the injection site.
- Heterozygous mice, possessing T lymphocytes, developed hemorrhagic secondary lesions rapidly after infection.
- These findings indicate a differential host response based on T lymphocyte presence.
Conclusions:
- Naive T lymphocytes appear to contribute to the pathological outcomes of Porphyromonas gingivalis infection.
- The presence of T lymphocytes exacerbates the host's response, leading to secondary lesion formation.
- This study highlights the critical role of T cell-mediated immunity in P. gingivalis-induced pathology.