Bacterial extracellular vesicles from Porphyromonas gingivalis - proteomic profile and influence on oral fibroblasts

Helene Rygvold Haugsten1, Anne Karin Kristoffersen1, Morten Enersen1

  • 1Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Norway.

Archives of Oral Biology
|October 22, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) from Porphyromonas gingivalis contain virulence proteins that affect human oral fibroblast proliferation and viability. These findings shed light on the role of bEVs in periodontitis pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Periodontal Disease Research

Background:

  • Porphyromonas gingivalis is an anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium linked to periodontitis.
  • Bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) are implicated in inter-bacterial and host-bacterial communication.
  • Understanding bEVs' role in periodontitis pathogenesis is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the protein cargo of bEVs from three P. gingivalis strains.
  • To investigate the impact of P. gingivalis bEVs on human oral fibroblast proliferation and viability.
  • To elucidate the contribution of bEVs to periodontitis pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to identify proteins in bEVs from P. gingivalis strains (ATCC 33277, A7A1-28, W83).
  • Dot blot assays validated the presence of key virulence proteins.
  • Human oral fibroblasts were incubated with bEVs to assess proliferation and viability at various timepoints and concentrations.

Main Results:

  • A total of 307 proteins were identified in the bEVs, including virulence factors like gingipains and fimbriae.
  • bEVs from A7A1-28 and W83 strains significantly affected fibroblast proliferation and viability.
  • bEVs from the ATCC 33277 strain did not induce significant changes in fibroblast behavior.

Conclusions:

  • P. gingivalis bEVs harbor diverse virulence-associated proteins.
  • Uptake of these bEVs can modulate human oral fibroblast functions, influencing disease progression.
  • These findings highlight bEVs as key mediators in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.