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Human cytomegalovirus enhances A. actinomycetemcomitans adherence to cells

W Teughels1, I Sliepen, M Quirynen

  • 1Catholic University Leuven, Research Group for Microbial Adhesion, Department of Periodontology, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Wim.Teughels@med.kuleuven.be

Journal of Dental Research
|January 26, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) infection increases epithelial cell susceptibility to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans adherence, a key step in periodontal disease. This viral-bacterial interaction was confirmed in vitro.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Periodontology

Background:

  • Bacterial adherence to epithelial cells is crucial in periodontal disease development.
  • Subgingival viral presence, including human cytomegalovirus (hCMV), is increasingly recognized.
  • Viruses may enhance bacterial adhesion by altering host cell properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if hCMV infection increases epithelial cell susceptibility to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans adherence.
  • To determine the relationship between hCMV viral load and bacterial adherence.
  • To assess the time course and strain-specificity of this interaction.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured HeLa and primary epithelial cells were infected with hCMV.
  • Adherence assays were performed using various Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strains.
  • Bacterial adherence levels were quantified and correlated with viral concentrations and time post-infection.

Main Results:

  • hCMV infection rendered epithelial cells semi-permissive and significantly increased adherence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.
  • Increased adherence correlated with hCMV viral concentrations and occurred within the first 24 hours post-infection.
  • This effect was observed across all tested Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strains, independent of immediate early antigen expression.

Conclusions:

  • hCMV infection enhances epithelial cell susceptibility to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans adherence in vitro.
  • This viral-bacterial interaction may play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the in vivo implications of hCMV-mediated bacterial adherence.

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