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Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells
Published on: December 17, 2015
Macrophages: A communication network linking Porphyromonas gingivalis infection and associated systemic diseases
Jie Lin1, Dingming Huang1, Hongwei Xu2
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and Department of Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Abstract:
Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a Gram-negative anaerobic pathogen that is involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and systemic diseases. P. gingivalis has recently been detected in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cardiovascular disease, and tumors, as well as Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the presence of P. gingivalis in these diseases are correlated with poor prognosis. Macrophages are major innate immune cells which modulate immune responses against pathogens, however, multiple bacteria have evolved abilities to evade or even subvert the macrophages' immune response, in which subsequently promote the diseases' initiation and progression. P. gingivalis as a keystone pathogen of periodontitis has received increasing attention for the onset and development of systemic diseases. P. gingivalis induces macrophage polarization and inflammasome activation. It also causes immune response evasion which plays important roles in promoting inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, and tumor development. In this review, we summarize recent discoveries on the interaction of P. gingivalis and macrophages in relevant disease development and progression, such as periodontitis, atherosclerosis, RA, AD, and cancers, aiming to provide an in-depth mechanistic understanding of this interaction and potential therapeutic strategies.
Insights
Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key periodontitis pathogen, interacts with macrophages to drive systemic diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer. Understanding this interaction offers new therapeutic targets for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a Gram-negative anaerobic pathogen linked to periodontitis and systemic diseases.
- P. gingivalis presence correlates with poor prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cardiovascular disease, tumors, and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Macrophages are crucial innate immune cells, but pathogens like P. gingivalis can evade or subvert their responses, promoting disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent discoveries on P. gingivalis-macrophage interactions in disease development.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying P. gingivalis's role in periodontitis and systemic conditions.
- To identify potential therapeutic strategies targeting this interaction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on P. gingivalis and macrophage interactions.
- Analysis of P. gingivalis's impact on macrophage polarization and inflammasome activation.
- Examination of immune evasion strategies employed by P. gingivalis.
Main Results:
- P. gingivalis actively modulates macrophage functions, including polarization and inflammasome activation.
- The bacterium's ability to evade immune responses contributes to inflammatory, autoimmune, and tumor development.
- Evidence links P. gingivalis to the pathogenesis of periodontitis, atherosclerosis, RA, AD, and cancers.
Conclusions:
- The interaction between P. gingivalis and macrophages is central to the initiation and progression of various diseases.
- Targeting this crosstalk may offer novel therapeutic avenues for periodontitis and associated systemic conditions.
- Further mechanistic understanding is needed to develop effective treatment strategies.
