A mouse model for pathogen-induced chronic inflammation at local and systemic sites

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Pathology

Background:

• Chronic inflammation drives tissue damage and numerous chronic diseases.
• Pathogen-induced inflammation is increasingly linked to chronic disease development.
• Human studies face challenges in establishing causal links due to complex etiologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a mouse model for studying pathogen-induced chronic inflammation.
• To investigate the local and systemic effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis infection.
• To identify host and microbial factors contributing to chronic inflammatory diseases.

Main Methods:

• Oral infection of specific-pathogen free mice with Porphyromonas gingivalis.
• Assessment of local inflammation (alveolar bone loss) and systemic inflammation (atherosclerosis).
• Utilized transgenic mice and bacterial mutants for mechanistic studies.

Main Results:

• The model successfully replicated local inflammation causing periodontal disease hallmarks.
• P. gingivalis infection accelerated atherosclerosis by increasing inflammatory plaque and vascular changes.
• Methodologies for assessing inflammation at local and systemic sites were detailed.

Conclusions:

• This mouse model provides a powerful tool for dissecting mechanisms of chronic inflammation.
• It facilitates research into host-pathogen interactions in diseases like periodontal disease and atherosclerosis.
• The model is suitable for screening novel therapeutic strategies, including vaccines and drugs.