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Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells
12:16

Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells

Published on: December 17, 2015

Enhanced attachment of Porphyromonas gingivalis to human fibroblasts mediated by Fusobacterium nucleatum

Zvi Metzger1, Jaron Blasbalg, Miri Dotan

  • 1Department of Endodontology, Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. metzger@post.tau.ac.il

Journal of Endodontics
|December 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Fusobacterium nucleatum enhances Porphyromonas gingivalis attachment to human fibroblasts, suggesting F. nucleatum acts as a mediator in endodontic infections. Sugars like galactose inhibit this bacterial co-colonization.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Oral Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis are frequently found together in endodontic infections.
  • The mechanisms behind their co-occurrence in mixed infections are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of adhesin-mediated interactions in the co-adherence of F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis to human fibroblasts.
  • To test the hypothesis that F. nucleatum facilitates P. gingivalis attachment.

Main Methods:

  • F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis strains were labeled with fluorochromes.
  • Bacterial adherence to human fibroblasts was quantified, both individually and sequentially.
  • The effect of specific sugars (galactose, lactose, fucose) on bacterial attachment was assessed.

Main Results:

  • P. gingivalis adherence to fibroblasts increased nearly 10-fold in the presence of F. nucleatum (P < .001).
  • Galactose, lactose, and fucose significantly inhibited the enhanced attachment of P. gingivalis and the adherence of F. nucleatum alone (P < .001).

Conclusions:

  • F. nucleatum may act as a primary colonizer, mediating enhanced P. gingivalis attachment to host cells.
  • Adhesin-mediated interactions, potentially involving sugar recognition, contribute to the common co-isolation of these bacteria in endodontic infections.

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