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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Robust Ligature-Induced Model of Murine Periodontitis for the Evaluation of Oral Neutrophils
Published on: January 21, 2020
Prevotella intermedia induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in human periodontal ligament cells
Su-Min Guan1, Lei Shu, Shan-Min Fu
1Department of Oral Biology, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Abstract:
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play pivotal roles in inflammatory diseases including chronic periodontitis. The effects of Prevotella intermedia, a major periodontal pathogen, on MMP-9 production in primary human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells were examined in the present study. MMP-9 mRNA expression was measured by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase PCR and its protein secretion was assayed by gelatin zymography. Prevotella intermedia ATCC 25611 supernatant time and dose-dependently induced MMP-9 expression. In contrast, Porphyromanas gingivalis ATCC 33277 supernatants, Escherichia coli lipopolysacchride and IL-1beta exhibited no stimulatory effects on MMP-9 production in hPDL cells. Mitogen-activated protein kinases [MAPK, including extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK), c-jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38] inhibitors exerted no effect on the P. intermedia-induced MMP-9 production, indicating that P. intermedia induced MMP-9 production through an MAPK-independent pathway. Our results demonstrated that P. intermedia may contribute to periodontal tissue destruction during chronic periodontitis by inducing MMP-9 production in hPDL cells.
Insights
Prevotella intermedia, a key periodontal pathogen, significantly increases matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in human periodontal ligament cells. This MMP-9 induction, crucial in chronic periodontitis, occurs independently of MAPK signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Oral biology and microbiology
- Immunology and inflammation
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are critical in inflammatory diseases like chronic periodontitis.
- Prevotella intermedia is recognized as a significant pathogen in periodontal disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Prevotella intermedia on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) production in human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells.
- To elucidate the signaling pathway involved in MMP-9 induction by P. intermedia.
Main Methods:
- Human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells were exposed to Prevotella intermedia supernatant.
- MMP-9 mRNA expression was quantified using reverse transcriptase PCR.
- MMP-9 protein secretion was assessed via gelatin zymography.
- The role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) was evaluated using specific inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Prevotella intermedia supernatant dose- and time-dependently induced MMP-9 expression in hPDL cells.
- Porphyromonas gingivalis, E. coli lipopolysaccharide, and IL-1beta did not stimulate MMP-9 production.
- MAPK pathway inhibitors did not affect P. intermedia-induced MMP-9 production, suggesting an independent pathway.
Conclusions:
- Prevotella intermedia actively induces MMP-9 production in hPDL cells.
- This induction mechanism is independent of the MAPK signaling pathway.
- P. intermedia may play a direct role in periodontal tissue destruction in chronic periodontitis via MMP-9 upregulation.
