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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
A Mouse Model for Pathogen-induced Chronic Inflammation at Local and Systemic Sites
Published on: August 8, 2014
Enhanced monocyte migration and pro-inflammatory cytokine production by Porphyromonas gingivalis infection
A Pollreisz1, Y Huang, G A Roth
1Division of Periodontics, Section of Oral and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Background And Objective:
Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major periodontal pathogen, has been reported to be involved in atherogenesis. In order to further understand this pathogen's link with systemic inflammation and vascular disease, we investigated its influence on murine monocytes and macrophages from three different sources.
Material And Methods:
Concanavalin A-elicited peritoneal macrophages, peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages and WEHI 274.1 monocytes were infected with either P. gingivalis 381 or its non-invasive fimbriae-deficient mutant, DPG3.
Results:
Infection with P. gingivalis 381 markedly induced monocyte migration and significantly enhanced production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Consistent with a role for this pathogen's major fimbriae and/or its invasive capacity, infection with DPG3 had a minimal effect on both monocyte attraction and pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
Conclusion:
Since monocyte recruitment and activation are important steps in the development of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis, these results suggest that P. gingivalis infection may be involved in these processes.
Insights
Porphyromonas gingivalis infection significantly increases monocyte migration and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, suggesting its role in vascular disease and atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular research
Background:
- Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen in periodontal disease.
- This bacterium has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Porphyromonas gingivalis on murine monocytes and macrophages.
- To understand the link between this pathogen, systemic inflammation, and vascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Murine macrophages and monocytes were infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis or a fimbriae-deficient mutant.
- Cellular responses including migration and cytokine production were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Porphyromonas gingivalis infection significantly enhanced monocyte migration.
- Pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, were markedly increased.
- A fimbriae-deficient mutant showed minimal effects, highlighting the role of fimbriae and/or invasiveness.
Conclusions:
- Monocyte recruitment and activation are critical in vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis.
- Porphyromonas gingivalis infection may contribute to these pathological processes.
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