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Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells
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Induction of toll-like receptor expression by Porphyromonas gingivalis

Nawarat Wara-aswapati1, Anek Chayasadom, Rudee Surarit

  • 1Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. nawarat@kku.ac.th

Journal of Periodontology
|September 26, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Porphyromonas gingivalis infection increases Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR9 in chronic periodontitis. This bacterial infection upregulates TLR2 in human gingival fibroblasts, partly via TNF-α.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Periodontology

Background:

  • Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are crucial in immune responses and implicated in infectious diseases.
  • This study investigates TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 expression in periodontal disease and Porphyromonas gingivalis induction mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 in periodontal tissue.
  • To investigate the mechanism of TLR induction by Porphyromonas gingivalis in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).

Main Methods:

  • Collected gingival tissue and subgingival plaque from chronic periodontitis patients and controls.
  • Analyzed gene expression using RT-PCR and bacterial counts via quantitative real-time PCR.

Main Results:

  • TLR2 and TLR9 expression were significantly higher in chronic periodontitis patients.
  • TLR2 and TLR9 mRNA levels correlated positively with P. gingivalis numbers.
  • P. gingivalis components and TNF-α upregulated TLR2 expression in HGFs, partially dependent on TNF-α.

Conclusions:

  • P. gingivalis infection upregulates TLR2 and TLR9 in chronic periodontitis.
  • P. gingivalis-induced TLR2 expression in HGFs is partly mediated by TNF-α.
  • This may sensitize HGFs to periodontal microenvironment components.

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