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Updated: Aug 22, 2025
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Isolation, Characterization and Functional Examination of the Gingival Immune Cell Network
Published on: February 16, 2016
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Stable reconstructed human gingiva-microbe interaction model: Differential response to commensals and pathogens
Yan Zhang1,2,3, Lin Shang2, Sanne Roffel1
1Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|November 7, 2022
Summary
This study developed a new organotypic model of human oral mucosa to study host-microbe interactions. The model successfully maintained viability of both oral tissues and bacteria, revealing distinct immune responses to commensal and pathogenic bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Tissue engineering
- Immunology
Background:
- Investigating human oral health requires models simulating oral mucosa and microbiome interactions.
- Existing models often lack the viability needed for extended host-microbe studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel organotypic model of reconstructed human gingiva (RHG).
- To maintain the viability of both host tissues and oral microbes for extended periods.
- To investigate host-microbe interactions and immune responses in a 72-hour timeframe.
Main Methods:
- Reconstructed Human Gingiva (RHG) were cultured and exposed to *Streptococcus gordonii* (commensal) or *Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans* (pathogen) for 72 hours.
- Histology, viability assays (MTT, Ki67), cytokine analysis (ELISA), and bacterial localization (FISH) were performed.
- The impact of antibiotics (penicillin-streptomycin) on bacterial viability was also assessed.
Main Results:
- The RHG model maintained viability and tissue integrity when exposed to bacteria.
- Commensal *S. gordonii* induced minimal immune response, while pathogenic *A. actinomycetemcomitans* significantly increased cytokine secretion.
- Both bacteria stimulated antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression, with *S. gordonii* eliciting higher Elafin levels.
Conclusions:
- This organotypic RHG model enables the study of living human oral host-microbe interactions over 72 hours.
- The model demonstrates differential innate immune activation by commensal versus pathogenic oral bacteria.
- This advance provides a valuable tool for understanding oral diseases and developing targeted therapies.
