Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells
Published on: December 17, 2015
MMP-9/TIMP-1 imbalance induced in human dendritic cells by Porphyromonas gingivalis
Ravi Jotwani1, Sridhar V K Eswaran, Surinder Moonga
1Department of Periodontics and Implantology, Stony Brook University, NY 11794-8703, USA.
Abstract:
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) cleaves collagen, allowing leukocytes to traffic toward the vasculature and the lymphatics. When MMP-9 is unregulated by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), this can lead to tissue destruction. Dendritic cells (DCs) infiltrate the oral mucosa increasingly in chronic periodontitis, characterized by infection with several pathogens including Porphyromonas gingivalis. In this study, human monocyte-derived DCs were pulsed with different doses of lipopolysaccharide of P. gingivalis 381 and of Escherichia coli type strain 25922, as well as whole live isogenic fimbriae-deficient mutant strains of P. gingivalis 381. Levels of induction of MMP-9 and TIMP-1, as well as interleukin-10 (IL-10), which reportedly inhibits MMP-9 induction, were measured by several approaches. Our results reveal that lipopolysaccharide of P. gingivalis, compared with lipopolysaccharide from E. coli type strain 25922, is a relatively potent inducer of MMP-9, but a weak inducer of TIMP-1, contributing to a high MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio.Whole live P. gingivalis strain 381, major fimbriae mutant DPG-3 and double mutant MFB were potent inducers of MMP-9, but minor fimbriae mutant MFI was not. MMP-9 induction was inversely proportional to IL-10 induction. These results suggest that lipopolysaccharide and the minor and the major fimbriae of P. gingivalis may play distinct roles in induction by DCs of MMP-9, a potent mediator of local tissue destruction and leukocyte trafficking.
Insights
Porphyromonas gingivalis components, particularly lipopolysaccharide and fimbriae, strongly induce matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in dendritic cells (DCs). This MMP-9 induction, linked to tissue destruction in periodontitis, is inversely related to IL-10 levels.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Oral Biology
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) facilitates leukocyte trafficking and tissue remodeling.
- Unregulated MMP-9 activity, often due to low tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), contributes to tissue destruction.
- Dendritic cells (DCs) infiltration into oral mucosa increases in chronic periodontitis, associated with pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis components in inducing matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs).
- To compare the effects of P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and fimbriae with those of Escherichia coli LPS on MMP-9 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) induction.
- To elucidate the relationship between MMP-9, TIMP-1, and IL-10 induction by P. gingivalis in DCs.
Main Methods:
- Human monocyte-derived DCs were stimulated with varying doses of P. gingivalis 381 LPS and E. coli 25922 LPS.
- DCs were also exposed to whole live P. gingivalis 381 strains, including wild-type, major fimbriae mutant (DPG-3), minor fimbriae mutant (MFI), and double mutant (MFB).
- Levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and IL-10 were quantified using multiple measurement techniques.
Main Results:
- P. gingivalis LPS was a more potent inducer of MMP-9 and a weaker inducer of TIMP-1 compared to E. coli LPS, resulting in a high MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio.
- Whole live P. gingivalis strains (wild-type, DPG-3, MFB) potently induced MMP-9, while the MFI mutant showed minimal induction.
- MMP-9 induction by P. gingivalis components was inversely correlated with IL-10 induction.
Conclusions:
- P. gingivalis components, including LPS and fimbriae, significantly induce MMP-9 production by DCs.
- The distinct induction patterns suggest specific roles for LPS and different fimbriae in modulating MMP-9 expression.
- These findings highlight the potential of P. gingivalis in driving local tissue destruction and leukocyte trafficking via MMP-9 induction in periodontitis.
Related Concept Videos
The Oral Microbiota
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM
A...
