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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

Characterization of FimA in Porphyromonas gingivalis genotype IV

Young-Suk Choi1, Ji-Hoi Moon, Jae-Hong Park

  • 1Department of Maxillofacial Biomedical Engineering, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology
|March 21, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Type IV fimA genotype proteins from Porphyromonas gingivalis were characterized. These recombinant fimbrial proteins (rFimA) retain native antigenicity and differ from type I fimbriae, impacting periodontitis patient immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Periodontitis is often associated with specific fimA genotypes of Porphyromonas gingivalis.
  • Type I fimA is prevalent in healthy adults, while types II and IV are common in periodontitis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize recombinant fimbrial protein (rFimA) from the type IV fimA genotype.
  • To compare the antigenicity of type IV fimbriae with type I fimbriae.

Main Methods:

  • Production of recombinant type IV-fimA protein in Escherichia coli.
  • SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analysis to assess protein structure and antigenicity.
  • Antibody recognition of conformational and linear epitopes.

Main Results:

  • Type IV-rFimA exhibited oligomeric/polymeric forms similar to native fimbriae.
  • Antibodies against type IV fimbriae recognized both conformational and linear epitopes.
  • Type IV-rFimA retained native fimbrial antigenicity.
  • Antigenicity of type IV fimbriae differed significantly from type I fimbriae.

Conclusions:

  • Recombinant type IV-fimbriae proteins accurately represent native fimbrial structure and antigenicity.
  • Distinct antigenic properties of type IV fimbriae compared to type I may influence immune responses in periodontitis.

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