Regulation of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome gene expression levels in gingival fibroblasts by oral biofilms

Protocol for analyzing the function of the type VI secretion system of the oral symbiont Aggregatibacter aphrophilus in targeting pathobionts

Here, we present a protocol for evaluating type VI secretion system (T6SS)-dependent fitness of the oral symbiont A. aphrophilus using biofilm competition assays and metaproteomics. We describe steps for designing T6SS-specific mutants. We then detail procedures for using them in competition assays with the pathobiont A. actinomycetemcomitans and in biofilm models, analyzing metaproteomes to assess the impact of the T6SS on multiple pathobionts. The biofilm model is designed to mimic the oral plaque ecosystem and includes seven species. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Oscarsson et al.1.

NLRP3 inflammasome activity and periodontal disease pathogenesis-A bidirectional relationship

OBJECTIVE

Periodontitis is an inflammatory oral disease that occurs as a result of the damaging effects of the immune response against the subgingival microflora. Among the mechanisms involved, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins family member NLRP3 (NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3), proposed as the key regulator of macrophage-induced inflammation, is strongly associated with periodontal disease due to the bacterial activators. This paper aimed to present key general concepts of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulation in periodontal disease.

METHOD

A narrative review was conducted in order to depict the current knowledge on the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasome activity and periodontal disease. In vitro and in situ studies were retrieved and commented based on their relevance in the field.

RESULTS

The NLRP3 inflammasome activity stimulated by periodontal microbiota drive periodontal disease pathogenesis and progression. This occurs through the release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, and DAMPs (damage-associated molecular pattern molecules) following inflammasome activation. Moreover, the tissue expression of NLRP3 is dysregulated by oral microbiota, further exacerbating periodontal inflammation.

CONCLUSION

The review provides new insights into the relationship between the NLRP3 inflammasome activity and periodontal disease pathogenesis, highlighting the roles and regulatory mechanism of inflammatory molecules involved in the disease process.

Gingival crevicular fluid levels of TLR-9, AIM-2, and ZBP-1 in periodontal diseases

OBJECTIVES

Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9, may play a role in periodontal disease inflammation. This study measured TLR-9 and its related molecules, absence in melanoma-2 (AIM-2) and Z-DNA-binding protein-1 (ZBP-1), in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from patients with varying stages of periodontal disease to assess the role of pathogen-derived nucleic acids in inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study comprised 80 participants: 20 with Stage III Grade C periodontitis, 20 with Stage III Grade B periodontitis (P-Stage III-B), 19 with gingivitis, and 21 with periodontal health. Parameters including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded. ELISA was used to analyze TLR-9, AIM-2, and ZBP-1 levels in GCF. Nonparametric tests were used for statistical comparisons.

RESULTS

The total amount of TLR-9 was higher in P-Stage III-B than in the healthy group (p < 0.05). Similarly, the gingivitis group exhibited elevated GCF TLR-9 levels compared to the healthy group (p < 0.05). GCF AIM-2 and ZBP-1 levels remained consistent across groups (p > 0.05). Significant correlations were found between GCF TLR-9 and CAL (p < 0.05), BOP (p < 0.05), PI (p < 0.01), and GCF volume (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that the TLR-9-mediated inflammatory process plays a role in periodontal disease, as evidenced by the increased levels of TLR-9 in GCF.

Biomaterials Functionalized with Inflammasome Inhibitors-Premises and Perspectives

This review aimed at searching literature for data regarding the inflammasomes' involvement in the pathogenesis of oral diseases (mainly periodontitis) and general pathologies, including approaches to control inflammasome-related pathogenic mechanisms. The inflammasomes are part of the innate immune response that activates inflammatory caspases by canonical and noncanonical pathways, to control the activity of Gasdermin D. Once an inflammasome is activated, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins, are released. Thus, inflammasomes are involved in inflammatory, autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. The review also investigated novel therapies based on the use of phytochemicals and pharmaceutical substances for inhibiting inflammasome activity. Pharmaceutical substances can control the inflammasomes by three mechanisms: inhibiting the intracellular signaling pathways (Allopurinol and SS-31), blocking inflammasome components (VX-765, Emricasan and VX-740), and inhibiting cytokines mediated by the inflammasomes (Canakinumab, Anakinra and Rilonacept). Moreover, phytochemicals inhibit the inflammasomes by neutralizing reactive oxygen species. Biomaterials functionalized by the adsorption of therapeutic agents onto different nanomaterials could represent future research directions to facilitate multimodal and sequential treatment in oral pathologies.

Gasdermins: a dual role in pyroptosis and tumor immunity

The gasdermin (GSDM) protein family plays a pivotal role in pyroptosis, a process critical to the body's immune response, particularly in combatting bacterial infections, impeding tumor invasion, and contributing to the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. These proteins are adept at activating inflammasome signaling pathways, recruiting immune effector cells, creating an inflammatory immune microenvironment, and initiating pyroptosis. This article serves as an introduction to the GSDM protein-mediated pyroptosis signaling pathways, providing an overview of GSDMs' involvement in tumor immunity. Additionally, we explore the potential applications of GSDMs in both innovative and established antitumor strategies.

How Pyroptosis Contributes to Inflammation and Fibroblast-Macrophage Cross-Talk in Rheumatoid Arthritis

About thirty years ago, a new form of pro-inflammatory lytic cell death was observed and termed pyroptosis. Only in 2015, gasdermins were defined as molecules that create pores at the plasma membrane and drive pyroptosis. Today, we know that gasdermin-mediated death is an important antimicrobial defence mechanism in bacteria, yeast and mammals as it destroys the intracellular niche for pathogen replication. However, excessive and uncontrolled cell death also contributes to immunopathology in several chronic inflammatory diseases, including arthritis. In this review, we discuss recent findings where pyroptosis contributes to tissue damage and inflammation with a main focus on injury-induced and autoimmune arthritis. We also review novel functions and regulatory mechanisms of the pyroptotic executors gasdermins. Finally, we discuss possible models of how pyroptosis may contribute to the cross-talk between fibroblast and macrophages, and also how this cross-talk may regulate inflammation by modulating inflammasome activation and pyroptosis induction.

Role of Porphyromonas gingivalis in oral and orodigestive squamous cell carcinoma

Oral and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas harbor a diverse microbiome that differs compositionally from precancerous and healthy tissues. Though causality is yet to be definitively established, emerging trends implicate periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis as associated with the cancerous state. Moreover, infection with P. gingivalis correlates with a poor prognosis, and P. gingivalis is oncopathogenic in animal models. Mechanistically, properties of P. gingivalis that have been established in vitro and could promote tumor development include induction of a dysbiotic inflammatory microenvironment, inhibition of apoptosis, increased cell proliferation, enhanced angiogenesis, activation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and production of carcinogenic metabolites. The microbial community context is also relevant to oncopathogenicity, and consortia of P. gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum are synergistically pathogenic in oral cancer models in vivo. In contrast, oral streptococci, such as Streptococcus gordonii, can antagonize protumorigenic epithelial cell phenotypes induced by P. gingivalis, indicating functionally specialized roles for bacteria in oncogenic communities. Consistent with the notion of the bacterial community constituting the etiologic unit, metatranscriptomic data indicate that functional, rather than compositional, properties of the tumor-associated communities have more relevance to cancer development. A consistent association of P. gingivalis with oral and orodigestive carcinoma could have diagnostic potential for early detection of these conditions that have a high incidence and low survival rates.

Periodontal Pathogens Promote Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating ATR and NLRP3 Inflammasome

Periodontitis is closely related to oral cancer, but the molecular mechanism of periodontal pathogens involved in the occurrence and development of oral cancer is still inconclusive. Here, we demonstrate that, in vitro, the cell proliferation ability and S phase cells of the periodontitis group (colonized by Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, P+) significantly increased, but the G1 cells were obviously reduced. The animal models with an in situ oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and periodontitis-associated bacteria treatment were constructed, and micro-CT showed that the alveolar bone resorption of mice in the P+ group (75.3 ± 4.0 μm) increased by about 53% compared with that in the control group (48.8 ± 1.3 μm). The tumor mass and tumor growth rate in the P+ group were all higher than those in the blank control group. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining of isolated tumor tissues showed that large-scale flaky necrosis was found in the tumor tissue of the P+ group, with lots of damaged vascular profile and cell debris. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of isolated tumor tissues showed that the expression of Ki67 and the positive rate of cyclin D1 were significantly higher in tumor tissues of the P+ group. The qRT-PCR results of the expression of inflammatory cytokines in oral cancer showed that periodontitis-associated bacteria significantly upregulated interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-18, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) (up to six times), and caspase-1 (up to four times), but it downregulated nuclear factor (NF)-κB, NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), and IL-1β (less than 0.5 times). In addition, the volume of spleen tissue and the number of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD206+ macrophages in the P+ group increased significantly. IHC and Western blotting in tumor tissues showed that expression levels of γ-H2AX, p-ATR, RPA32, CHK1, and RAD51 were upregulated, and the phosphorylation level of CHK1 (p-chk1) was downregulated. Together, we identify that the periodontitis-related bacteria could promote tumor growth and proliferation, initiate the overexpressed NLRP3, and activate upstream signal molecules of ATR-CHK1. It is expected to develop a new molecular mechanism between periodontitis-related bacteria and OSCC.

Targeting the Nod-like receptor protein 3 Inflammasome with inhibitor MCC950 rescues lipopolysaccharide-induced inhibition of osteogenesis in Human periodontal ligament cells

OBJECTIVE

We aim to investigate whether lipopolysaccharide-stimulated activition of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) Inflammasome inhibits osteogenesis in Human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs). Futhermore, to study whether MCC950 (a inhibitor of NLRP3 Inflammasome) rescues lipopolysaccharide-induced inhibition of osteogenesis in HPDLCs as well as the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

HPDLCs were isolated from periodontal ligament of healthy orthodontic teeth from teenagers, and cells surface marker protein were detected by flow cytometry. Cells viability were determined by Cell Counting kit 8 assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze the secretion of proinflammatory factors. Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were measured assessing the expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1. RT-qPCR, Alizarin red staining and Alkaline phosphatase staining were tested to determine the osteogenic differentiation capacity of HPDLCs.

RESULTS

It was found that lipopolysaccharide in the range of concentrations from 10 to 100 μg/ml significantly inhibited HPDLCs viability at 24 h and significantly improved proinflammatory cytokine expressions at 8 h and 24 h. MCC950 reversed lipopolysaccharide-stimulated proinflammatory cytokine expressions including interleukin-1β and interleukin-18, but not tumor necrosis factor-α. In addition, MCC950 rescued the lipopolysaccharide-inhibited osteogenic gene (Alkaline phosphatase, Runt-related transcription factor 2, and Osteocalcin). Moreover, MCC950 downregulated lipopolysaccharide-induced relative protein of NLRP3 Inflammasome signaling pathway, such as NLRP3 and Caspase-1.

CONCLUSION

MCC950 rescues lipopolysaccharide-induced inhibition of osteogenesis in HPDLCs via blocking NLRP3 Inflammasome signaling pathway, and it may be used as a promising therapeutic agent for periodontitis or periondontal regenerative related disease.

Inflammasomes in Alveolar Bone Loss

Bone remodeling is tightly controlled by osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation. Fine tuning of the osteoclast-osteoblast balance results in strict synchronization of bone resorption and formation, which maintains structural integrity and bone tissue homeostasis; in contrast, dysregulated bone remodeling may cause pathological osteolysis, in which inflammation plays a vital role in promoting bone destruction. The alveolar bone presents high turnover rate, complex associations with the tooth and periodontium, and susceptibility to oral pathogenic insults and mechanical stress, which enhance its complexity in host defense and bone remodeling. Alveolar bone loss is also involved in systemic bone destruction and is affected by medication or systemic pathological factors. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the osteoimmunological mechanisms involved in the dysregulation of alveolar bone remodeling. The inflammasome is a supramolecular protein complex assembled in response to pattern recognition receptors and damage-associated molecular patterns, leading to the maturation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of inflammatory responses. Pyroptosis downstream of inflammasome activation also facilitates the clearance of intracellular pathogens and irritants. However, inadequate or excessive activity of the inflammasome may allow for persistent infection and infection spreading or uncontrolled destruction of the alveolar bone, as commonly observed in periodontitis, periapical periodontitis, peri-implantitis, orthodontic tooth movement, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, nonsterile or sterile osteomyelitis of the jaw, and osteoporosis. In this review, we present a framework for understanding the role and mechanism of canonical and noncanonical inflammasomes in the pathogenesis and development of etiologically diverse diseases associated with alveolar bone loss. Inappropriate inflammasome activation may drive alveolar osteolysis by regulating cellular players, including osteoclasts, osteoblasts, osteocytes, periodontal ligament cells, macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, and adaptive immune cells, such as T helper 17 cells, causing increased osteoclast activity, decreased osteoblast activity, and enhanced periodontium inflammation by creating a pro-inflammatory milieu in a context- and cell type-dependent manner. We also discuss promising therapeutic strategies targeting inappropriate inflammasome activity in the treatment of alveolar bone loss. Novel strategies for inhibiting inflammasome signaling may facilitate the development of versatile drugs that carefully balance the beneficial contributions of inflammasomes to host defense.

Fisetin attenuates periodontitis through FGFR1/TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the pharmacological effect of Fisetin on experimental periodontitis in rats and explore its potential mechanism. The ligature/LPS method was used to induce periodontitis in rats. LPS was employed to cause inflammation in Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). The transfections with FGFR1 SiRNA, NLRP3 SiRNA and the selective TLR4 inhibitor TAK242 were used to investigate the mechanism of Fisetin-mediated inflammatory reaction in LPS-induced HGF. As a result, Fisetin reduced the alveolar bone gap, reversed histopathological lesion and inhibited serum inflammatory cytokine concentration in periodontitis rats. Fisetin decreased the inflammatory cytokine contents in the supernatant of LPS-induced HGF. The inhibitory effect of Fisetin might be attributed to FGFR1/TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway both in vivo and in vitro. The suppressions of FGFR1, TLR4 and NLRP3 proved that FGFR1/TLR4/NLRP3 signaling was involved in the Fisetin-mediated inflammatory response. Fisetin also inhibited NLRP3 priming. The data demonstrated that Fisetin attenuated periodontitis by inhibiting inflammatory reaction via FGFR1/TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Bacterial Cyclic Dinucleotides and the cGAS-cGAMP-STING Pathway: A Role in Periodontitis?

Host cells can recognize cytosolic double-stranded DNAs and endogenous second messengers as cyclic dinucleotides-including c-di-GMP, c-di-AMP, and cGAMP-of invading microbes via the critical and essential innate immune signaling adaptor molecule known as STING. This recognition activates the innate immune system and leads to the production of Type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines. In this review, we (1) focus on the possible role of bacterial cyclic dinucleotides and the STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and the regulation of periodontal immune response, and (2) review and discuss activators and inhibitors of the STING pathway as immune response regulators and their potential utility in the treatment of periodontitis. PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched with the terms "STING", "TBK 1", "IRF3", and "cGAS"-alone, or together with "periodontitis". Current studies produced evidence for using STING-pathway-targeting molecules as part of anticancer therapy, and as vaccine adjuvants against microbial infections; however, the role of the STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway in periodontal disease pathogenesis is still undiscovered. Understanding the stimulation of the innate immune response by cyclic dinucleotides opens a new approach to host modulation therapies in periodontology.

A deficiency of Dec2 triggers periodontal inflammation and pyroptosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Periodontal pathogens initiate various diseases and induce inflammatory host responses. The activation of inflammasomes triggers caspase-1 and interleukin (IL)-1β-mediated pyroptosis via gasdermin D (GSDMD). Differentiated embryo chondrocyte 2 (Dec2) is a transcription repressor that controls the expression of genes involved in innate immune and inflammatory responses. However, the effects of Dec2 on inflammasome-induced pyroptosis in periodontal tissues remain elusive. This study aimed to characterize the activation of Dec2 inflammasomes that contribute to P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pyroptosis and its functional and regulatory importance in periodontal inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLFs) were stimulated with P. gingivalis LPS in vitro. An experimental periodontitis mouse model (wild-type (WT) and Dec2KO) was established to profile periodontal pyroptosis.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate that P. gingivalis LPS activates caspase-1, caspase-11, and NF-κB in HGFs and in HPDLFs. siRNA knockdown of Dec2 stimulated the induction and further upregulated LPS-induced pyroptosis in HGFs and HPDLFs, resulting in the release of IL-1β. Further, a deficiency of Dec2 alleviated periodontal pyroptosis via the transcriptional induction of GSDMD. In addition, P. gingivalis-induced IL-1β expression and Dec2-deficient mice subsequently increased the inflammatory effect of P. gingivalis in HGFs and in HPDLFs, confirming the importance of Dec2 in the activation of inflammasomes and the regulation of pyroptosis.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that Dec2 alleviates periodontal pyroptosis by regulating the expression of NF-κB, caspase-1 and GSDMD, suggesting that Dec2 is a crucial component of inflammasome activation and subsequent pyroptosis.

Inflammasome dysregulation in human gingival fibroblasts in response to periodontal pathogens

OBJECTIVE

Uncontrolled production of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a major proinflammatory cytokine, is associated with tissue destruction in periodontal disease. IL-1β production is controlled by inflammasomes which are multiprotein regulatory complexes. The current study aimed to elucidate potential regulatory pathways by monitoring the effects of periodontal pathogens Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) on inflammasomes and their regulators in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in vitro.

METHODS

HGFs were exposed to Fn and Pg alone or in combination for 24 hr at a multiplicity of infection of 100, ±30 min exposure with 5 mM adenosine triphosphate (ATP) incubation. Gene expression of NLRP3 and AIM2, inflammasome regulatory proteins POP1, CARD16 and TRIM16, and inflammasome components ASC and CASPASE 1, and IL-1β, were evaluated by RT-PCR. Pro- and mature IL-1β levels were monitored intracellularly by immunocytochemistry and extracellularly by ELISA.

RESULTS

Fn + ATP significantly upregulated NLRP3, AIM2, IL-1β, ASC, and CASPASE 1; however, it downregulated POP1 and TRIM16. Pg + ATP downregulated NLRP3, ASC, POP1, but upregulated IL-1β and CARD16. Pg + Fn+ATP significantly upregulated AIM2, IL-1β and CARD16, and downregulated POP1, TRIM16, and CASPASE 1. Pg + ATP exposure significantly increased pro- and mature IL-1β production.

CONCLUSION

Bacterial exposure with ATP may deregulate IL-1β by dysregulating inflammasomes and their regulators in HGFs.

AIM2 Inflammasome's First Decade of Discovery: Focus on Oral Diseases

A common feature of many acute and chronic oral diseases is microbial-induced inflammation. Innate immune responses are the first line of defense against pathogenic microorganisms and are initiated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that specifically recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and danger-associated molecular patterns. The activation of certain PRRs can lead to the assembly of macromolecular oligomers termed inflammasomes, which are responsible for pro-inflammatory cytokine maturation and secretion and thus activate host inflammatory responses. About 10 years ago, the absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) was independently discovered by four research groups, and among the “canonical” inflammasomes [including AIM2, NLR family pyrin domain (NLRP)1, NLRP3, NLR family apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP)/NLR family, caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD) containing (NLRC)4, and pyrin], AIM2 so far is the only one that simultaneously acts as a cytosolic DNA sensor due to its DNA-binding ability. Undoubtedly, such a double-faceted role gives AIM2 greater mission and more potential in the mediation of innate immune responses. Therefore, AIM2 has garnered much attention from the broad scientific community during its first 10 years of discovery (2009–2019). How the AIM2 inflammasome is related to oral diseases has aroused debate over the past few years and is under active investigation. AIM2 inflammasome may potentially be a key link between oral diseases and innate immunity. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge of the AIM2 inflammasome and its critical role in the pathogenesis of various oral diseases, which might offer future possibilities for disease prevention and targeted therapy utilizing this continued understanding.

Porphyromonas gingivalis-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Its Downstream Interleukin-1β Release Depend on Caspase-4

Background: Oral commensals contribute to microbe-host symbiosis in periodontal homeostasis, and Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) as the keystone pathogen critically accounts for the shift of symbiosis to dysbiosis and periodontal destruction. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is significantly involved in periodontal diseases, and notably P. gingivalis enables to modulate the induction and expression of NLRP3. Whereas, the exact mechanism by which NLRP3 inflammasome is regulated in response to commensal and pathogenic bacteria remains unclear.

Methods: To examine the expression of IL-1β and NLRPs inflammasome in tissues with severe chronic periodontitis, and further investigate how Caspase-4-dependent non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome pathways functioned during the interactions of Streptococcus mitis (S. mitis) and P. gingivalis with human THP-1 cells.

Results: IL-1β and NLRP3, NLRP6, NLRP12, and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasomes are highly expressed in gingival tissues with severe chronic periodontitis. In human THP-1 cells, P. gingivalis activates the synthesis and secretion of IL-1β to higher levels than S. mitis. Importantly, NLRP3-, Caspase-1-, and Caspase-4-siRNA knockdown THP-1 cells treated with P. gingivalis exhibited a lower expression level of IL-1β as compared to the control cells. In addition, silencing of either CASP4 or CASP1 can lead to a concurrent or reciprocal decrease in the expression of the other. Of note, the IL-1β induction is not affected in the S. mitis-treated THP-1 cells with the silence of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and Caspase-4 genes.

Conclusion: NLRP3/Caspase-4 and NLRP3/Caspase-1 dependent IL-1β production may crucially contribute to the dysregulated immuno-inflammatory response in periodontal pathogenesis.

Biofilm growth and IL-8 & TNF-α-inducing properties of Candida albicans in the presence of oral gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria

Background

Interaction of C. albicans with oral bacteria is crucial for its persistence, but also plays a potential role in the infection process. In the oral cavity, it grows as part of dental plaque biofilms. Even though growth and interaction of C. albicans with certain bacterial species has been studied, little is known about its biofilm growth in vitro in the simultaneous presence of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The aim was to evaluate the growth of C. albicans in polymicrobial biofilms comprising oral Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Further, we also aimed to assess the potential of C. albicans in the Candida-bacteria polymicrobial biofilm to elicit cytokine gene expression and cytokine production from human blood cells.

Results

C. albicans cell counts increased significantly up to 48 h in polymicrobial biofilms (p < 0.05), while the bacterial counts in the same biofilms increased only marginally as revealed by qPCR absolute quantification. However, the presence of bacteria in the biofilm did not seem to affect the growth of C. albicans. Expression of IL-8 gene was significantly (p < 0.05) higher upon stimulation from biofilm-supernatants than from biofilms in polymicrobial setting. On the contrary, TNF-α expression was significantly higher in biofilms than in supernatants but was very low (1–4 folds) in the monospecies biofilm of C. albicans. ELISA cytokine quantification data was in agreement with mRNA expression results.

Conclusion

Persistence and enhanced growth of C. albicans in polymicrobial biofilms may imply that previously reported antagonistic effect of A. actinomycetemcomitans was negated. Increased cytokine gene expression and cytokine production induced by Candida-bacteria polymicrobial biofilms and biofilm supernatants suggest that together they possibly exert an enhanced stimulatory effect on IL-8 and TNF-α production from the host.

Relevance of Caspase-1 and Nlrp3 Inflammasome on Inflammatory Bone Resorption in A Murine Model of Periodontitis

This study investigates the role of NLRP3 inflammasome and its main effector Caspase-1 in inflammation and alveolar bone resorption associated with periodontitis. Heat-killed Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) was injected 3x/week (4 weeks) into gingival tissues of wild-type (WT), Nlrp3-KO and Caspase1-KO mice. Bone resorption was measured by µCT and osteoclast number was determined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Inflammation was assessed histologically (H/E staining and immunofluorescence of CD45 and Ly6G). In vitro studies determined the influence of Nlrp3 and Caspase-1 in Rankl-induced osteoclast differentiation and activity and on LPS-induced expression of inflammation-associated genes. Bone resorption was significantly reduced in Casp1-KO but not in Nlrp3-KO mice. Casp1-KO mice had increased in osteoclast numbers, whereas the inflammatory infiltrate or on gene expression were similar to those of WT and Nlrp3-KO mice. Strikingly, osteoclasts differentiated from Nlrp3-deficient macrophages had increased resorbing activity in vitro. LPS-induced expression of Il-10, Il-12 and Tnf-α was significantly reduced in Nlrp3- and Casp1-deficient macrophages. As an inceptive study, these results suggest that Nlrp3 inflammasome does not play a significant role in inflammation and bone resorption in vivo and that Caspase-1 has a pro-resorptive role in experimental periodontal disease.

Integration of genome-wide association study and expression quantitative trait loci data identifies AIM2 as a risk gene of periodontitis

AIM

To identify risk variants associated with gene expression in peripheral blood and to identify genes whose expression change may contribute to the susceptibility to periodontitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We systematically integrated the genetic associations from a recent large-scale periodontitis GWAS and blood expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data using Sherlock, a Bayesian statistical framework. We then validated the potential causal genes in independent gene expression data sets. Gene co-expression analysis was used to explore the functional relationship for the identified causal genes.

RESULTS

Sherlock analysis identified 10 genes (rs7403881 for MT1L, rs12459542 for SIGLEC5, rs12459542 for SIGLEC14, rs6680386 for S100A12, rs10489524 for TRIM33, rs11962642 for HIST1H3E, rs2814770 for AIM2, rs7593959 for FASTKD2, rs10416904 for PKN1, and rs10508204 for WDR37) whose expression may influence periodontitis. Among these genes, AIM2 was consistent significantly upregulated in periodontium of periodontitis patients across four data sets. The cis-eQTL (rs2814770, ~16 kb upstream of AIM2) showed significant association with AIM2 (p = 6.63 × 10^-6 ) and suggestive association with periodontitis (p = 7.52 × 10^-4 ). We also validated the significant association between rs2814770 and AIM2 expression in independent expression data set. Pathway analysis revealed that genes co-expressed with AIM2 were significantly enriched in immune- and inflammation-related pathways.

CONCLUSION

Our findings implicate that AIM2 is a susceptibility gene, expression of which in gingiva may influence periodontitis risk. Further functional investigation of AIM2 may provide new insight for periodontitis pathogenesis.

Influence of inflammasome NLRP3, and IL1B and IL2 gene polymorphisms in periodontitis susceptibility

The pathogenesis of periodontitis (PD) involves several molecules of the immune system that interact in a network to eliminate the periodontopathogens, yet, they contribute to periodontal tissue destruction. The different mechanisms that lead to periodontal tissue damage are not clear. Despite this, immune response genes have been related to the development of PD previously, such as those involved in inflammasomes which are multiprotein complexes and cytokines including Interleukin-1. The aim of the study was to evaluate the polymorphisms in NLRP3 inflammasome, cytokine and receptor of cytokines genes in the development of periodontitis. This case-control study was conducted in 186 patients with PD (stage II and III and grade B) and 208 controls (localized gingivitis and periodontally healthy individuals). Genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP for the SNP rs4612666 in NLRP3 and using PCR-SSP for IL1A, IL1B, IL1R, IL1RN, IL4RA, INFG, TGFB1, TNF, IL2, IL4, IL6, and IL10. Cytokine serum levels were measured using Luminex technology. SNPStats and OpenEpi software were used to perform statistical analysis. The higher frequencies of NLRP3 T/C and IL1B -511 T/T genotypes and IL2 (+166, -330) GT haplotype were observed in patients with PD compared to controls. The SNPs in NLRP3, IL1R +1970, IL6–174, TNF -308, IL2 +166 and -330, TGFB1 +869 and +915, IL4RA +1902, IL4–1098 and -590 were associated to PD in men. In conclusion, polymorphisms in NLRP3, IL1B and IL2 genes were associated to PD susceptibility. Men carrying the NLRP3, IL1R, IL6, TNF, IL2, TGFB1, IL4RA and IL4 polymorphisms had greater susceptibility than women for developing PD.

Inflammasomes and their regulation in periodontal disease: A review

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which is secreted by host tissues leading to periodontal tissue inflammation, is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. The conversion of pro-IL-1β into its biologically active form is controlled by multiprotein complexes named as inflammasomes, which are key regulator of host defense mechanisms and inflammasome involved diseases, including the periodontal diseases. Inflammasomes are regulated by different proteins and processes, including pyrin domain (PYD)-only proteins (POPs), CARD-only proteins (COPs), tripartite motif family proteins (TRIMs), autophagy, and interferons. A review of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical data from these publications revealed that several inflammasomes including (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) have been found to be involved in periodontal disease pathogenesis. To the best of our knowledge, the current article provides the first review of the literature focusing on studies that evaluated both inflammasomes and their regulators in periodontal disease. An upregulation for inflammasomes and a downregulation of inflammasome regulator proteins including POPs, COPs, and TRIMs have been reported in periodontal disease. Although interferons (types I and II) and autophagy have been found to be involved in periodontal disease, their possible role in inflammasome activation has not evaluated yet. Modulating the excessive inflammatory response by the use of inflammasome regulators may have potential in the management of periodontal disease.

Interleukin-1β is a potential therapeutic target for periodontitis: a narrative review

Interleukin(IL)-1β, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, was elevated and participates in periodontitis. Not only the link between IL-1β and periodontitis was proved by clinical evidence, but also the increased IL-1β triggers a series of inflammatory reactions and promotes bone resorption. Currently, IL-1β blockage has been therapeutic strategies for autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, gout and type II diabetes mellitus. It is speculated that IL-1β be a potential therapeutic target for periodontitis. The review focuses on the production, mechanism, present treatments and future potential strategies for IL-1β in periodontitis.

A Role for Yeast/Pseudohyphal Cells of Candida albicans in the Correlated Expression of NLRP3 Inflammasome Inducers in Women With Acute Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

In acute vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), the fungus Candida albicans activates inflammasome receptors of vaginal epithelial cells through the production of virulence and immuno-inflammatory factors. Here, we show that in VVC patients, genes encoding some of the above factors (SAP2, SAP5, SAP6, ECE1, and HWP1) are expressed in a correlated fashion. Cytological observations pointed out that pseudohyphal filaments with yeast cells are dominant at the acidic vaginal pH, and this is coupled with co-expression, at roughly similar level, of SAP2, a typical yeast and ECE1, a typical hyphae-associated genes. In contrast, vigorous hyphal growth dominated at the neutral vaginal pH of mice experimentally infected with C. albicans isolates from VVC subjects, and this is coupled with a high ratio of ECE1 to SAP2 expression. We suggest that the pseudohyphal rather than true hyphal cells of C. albicans play a critical role in VVC, possibly through the activity of multiple inflammasome inducers.

Recent progress in experimental and human disease-associated multi-species biofilms

Human bodies are colonized by trillions of microorganisms, which are often referred to as human microbiota and play important roles in human health. Next generation sequencing studies have established links between the genetic content of human microbiota and various human diseases. However, it remains largely unknown about the spatial organizations and interspecies interactions of individual species within the human microbiota. Bacterial cells tend to form surface-attached biofilms in many natural environments, which enable intercellular communications and interactions in a microbial ecosystem. In this review, we summarize the recent progresses on the experimental and human disease-associated multi-species biofilm studies. We hypothesize that engineering biofilm structures and interspecies interactions might provide a tool for manipulating the composition and function of human microbiota.

Differential expression of inflammasome regulatory transcripts in periodontal disease

BACKGROUND

The inflammasome modulates the release of key proinflammatory cytokines associated with periodontal disease pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of proteins that regulate the inflammasome, namely pyrin domain-only proteins (POPs), caspase activation recruitment domain (CARD)-only proteins, and tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) proteins, in periodontal diseases.

METHODS

A total of 68 participants (34 males and 34 females) were divided into four groups, including periodontal health (H), gingivitis (G), chronic periodontitis (CP), and aggressive periodontitis (AgP) based on clinical parameters. Gingival tissue samples were obtained from all participants for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based gene expression analyses of molecules that regulate the inflammasome, including apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) containing CARD, caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), nucleotide-binding domain, leucine rich family (NLR) pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), NLR family pyrin domain containing 2 (NLRP2), AIM2 (absent in melanoma 2), POP1, POP2, CARD16, CARD18, TRIM16, and TRIM20 by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

NLRP3 and IL-1β were upregulated in the G, CP, and AgP groups compared with group H (P < 0.05). AIM2 was downregulated in the CP group compared with the H, G, and AgP groups (P < 0.05). TRIM20, TRIM16, and CARD18 were downregulated in the G, CP, and AgP groups compared with the H group (P < 0.05). POP1 and POP2 were downregulated in the CP and AgP, and AgP and G groups, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Active periodontal disease may result in downregulation of inflammasome regulators that may increase the activity of NLRP3 and IL-1β in periodontal disease.

Commensal and Pathogenic Biofilms Alter Toll-Like Receptor Signaling in Reconstructed Human Gingiva

The balance between the host and microbe is pivotal for oral health. A dysbiotic oral microbiome and the subsequent host inflammatory response are causes for the most common dental problems, such as periodontitis and caries. Classically, toll-like receptors (TLRs) are known to play important roles in host-microbe interactions by recognizing pathogens and activating innate immunity. However, emerging evidence suggests that commensals may also exploit TLRs to induce tolerance to the benefit of the host, especially in oral mucosa which is heavily colonized by abundant microbes. How TLRs and downstream signaling events are affected by different oral microbial communities to regulate host responses is still unknown. To compare such human host-microbe interactions in vitro, we exposed a reconstructed human gingiva (RHG) to commensal or pathogenic (gingivitis, cariogenic) multi-species oral biofilms cultured from human saliva. These biofilms contain in vivo like phylogenic numbers and typical bacterial genera. After 24 h biofilm exposure, TLR protein and gene expression of 84 TLR pathway related genes were investigated. Commensal and pathogenic biofilms differentially regulated TLR protein expression. Commensal biofilm up-regulated the transcription of a large group of key genes, which are involved in TLR signaling, including TLR7, the MyD88-dependent pathway (CD14, MyD88, TIRAP, TRAF6, IRAKs), MyD88-independent pathway (TAB1, TBK1, IRF3), and their downstream signaling pathways (NF-κB and MAPK pathways). In comparison, gingivitis biofilm activated fewer genes (e.g., TLR4) and cariogenic biofilm suppressed CD14, IRAK4, and IRF3 transcription. Fluorescence in situ hybridization staining showed the rRNA of the topically applied and invaded bacteria, and histology showed that the biofilms had no obvious detrimental effect on RHG morphology. These results show an important role of TLR signaling pathways in regulating host-microbe interactions: when a sterile gingival tissue is exposed to commensals, a strong immune activation occurs which may prime the host against potential challenges in order to maintain oral host-microbe homeostasis. In contrast, pathogenic biofilms stimulate a weaker immune response which might facilitate immune evasion thus enabling pathogens to penetrate undetected into the tissues.

Doxycycline inhibits NAcht Leucine-rich repeat Protein 3 inflammasome activation and interleukin-1β production induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide and adenosine triphosphate in human gingival fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on inflammasome activation by Porphyromonas gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide (P. gingivalis-LPS) stimulation and the anti-inflammatory eff ;ect of doxycycline (Dox) in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).

DESIGN

The optimal concentration of P. gingivalis-LPS (1.0 μg/mL) for cellular viability was determined by observing cell morphology and measuring the amount of formazan and the expression of pro-caspase-1. The expression of genes and proteins related to the NAcht Leucine-rich repeat Protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, including NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), caspase-1 and its activated forms, and the inflammatory factor interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and its activated forms were measured.

RESULTS

The NLRP3 inflammasome (i.e., NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1) was not affected by stimulation with P. gingivalis-LPS or ATP. However, a combination of P. gingivalis-LPS and ATP significantly enhanced inflammasome activation and IL-1β production at the gene and protein levels as measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. Furthermore, doxycycline addition markedly inhibited inflammasome activation and IL-1β production induced by a combination of P. gingivalis-LPS and ATP.

CONCLUSIONS

LPS, ATP, and doxycycline play critical roles in regulating host immune responses. This evidence provides guidance for the application of tetracycline drugs for the clinical treatment of periodontal disease.

Interplay Between the Host, the Human Microbiome, and Drug Metabolism

The human microbiome is composed of four major areas including intestinal, skin, vaginal, and oral microbiomes, with each area containing unique species and unique functionalities. The human microbiome may be modulated with prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to potentially aid in the treatment of diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, bacterial vaginosis, atopic dermatitis, gingivitis, obesity, or cancer. There is also potential for many of the inhabitants of the human microbiome to directly modulate host gene expression and modulate host detoxifying enzyme activity like cytochrome P450s (CYPs), dehydrogenases, and carboxylesterases. Therefore, the microbiome may be important to consider during drug discovery, risk assessment, and dosing regimens for various diseases given that the human microbiome has been shown to impact host detoxification processes.

Mechanical force promotes the proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis of human gingival fibroblasts cultured on 3D PLGA scaffolds via TGF‑β expression

Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) are responsible for connective tissue repair and scarring, and are exposed to mechanical forces under physiological and pathological conditions. The exact mechanisms underlying gingival tissue reconstruction under mechanical forces remain unclear. The present study aimfed to investigate the effects of mechanical forces on the proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis in HGFs by establishing a 3-dimensional (3D) HGF culture model using poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds. HGFs were cultured in 3D PLGA scaffolds and a mechanical force of 0, 5, 15, 25 or 35 g/cm² was applied to HGFs for 24 h. A mechanical force of 25 g/cm² induced the highest proliferation rate, and thus was selected for subsequent experiments. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. The expression levels of type I collagen (COL-1) and matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-1 were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β expression was evaluated by ELISA. The application of mechanical force on HGFs cultured on the 3D PLGA scaffolds resulted in a significant increase in cell proliferation and COL-1 expression, as well as a decrease in MMP-1 expression. A TGF-β1 inhibitor was also applied, which attenuated the effects of mechanical force on HGF proliferation, and COL-1 and MMP-1 expression, thus suggesting that TGF-β signaling pathways may mediate the mechanical force-induced alterations observed in HGFs. In conclusion, these findings helped to clarify the mechanisms underlying mechanical force-induced HGF proliferation and ECM synthesis, which may promote the development of targeted therapeutics to treat various diseases, including gingival atrophy caused by orthodontic treatment.

Prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor DMOG suppressed inflammatory cytokine production in human gingival fibroblasts stimulated with Fusobacterium nucleatum

OBJECTIVE

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is one of the most common bacteria involved in the initiation and progression of periodontal diseases. Pharmacological inhibitor of prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs), dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG), has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the role of DMOG in inflammatory cytokine production of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) stimulated with F. nucleatum.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

HGFs were pretreated with 10, 50, and 100 μM DMOG for 24 h before infected with F. nucleatum (MOI = 100). Cell morphology and survival after infection with F. nucleatum were determined by crystal violet staining assay. The mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The production of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-1β was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

F. nucleatum did not affect the morphology and survival of HGFs by the concentrations of MOI (multiplicity of infection) = 10, 50, and 100. The mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-1β were significantly enhanced with the stimulation of F. nucleatum, and the maximal effect reached at 6 h. The secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α was significantly upregulated by the infection of F. nucleatum while the production of IL-1β was nearly unchanged. Above all, DMOG suppressed F. nucleatum-stimulated IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-1β expressions.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor DMOG partly downregulates inflammatory cytokine expression in F. nucleatum-infected HGFs.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

DMOG may provide a novel strategy for the therapy of periodontitis.

Role and mechanism of the nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome in oral disease

OBJECTIVE

To summarize evidence and data from experimental studies regarding the role and mechanism of the Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the pathogenesis of several representative oral diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search of PubMed and EBSCO was performed. The literature was searched using a combination of keywords, e.g., NLRP3 inflammasome, inflammation, microorganisms, oral inflammatory diseases, and oral immunological diseases.

RESULTS

The initiation and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome are associated with the pathogenesis and progression of several representative oral diseases, including periodontitis, oral lichen planus, dental pulp disease, and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a crucial role in the progression of inflammatory and adaptive immune responses. The possible role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in several oral diseases, including not only periodontitis and pulpitis but also mucosal diseases and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, may involve the aberrant regulation of inflammatory and immune responses. Understanding the cellular and molecular biology of the NLRP3 inflammasome is necessary because the NLRP3 inflammasome may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of oral inflammatory and immunological diseases.

NLRP3 inflammasome is a key player in human vulvovaginal disease caused by Candida albicans

The expression of host inflammatory and Candida albicans putative virulence factors was studied in women with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC; twenty) or colonized by the fungus but asymptomatic (carriers; fifteen) or non-colonized asymptomatic (ten subjects). Overexpression of genes encoding NLRP3 and caspase-1 inflammasome components sharply differentiated VVC patients from asymptomatic colonized or non-colonized women. Inflammasome expression was coupled with neutrophils recruitment in the vagina of VVC women and IL-1β and IL-8 production. Both cytokines were present, though to a lower concentration, also in the vaginal fluid of colonized and non-colonized women. Secretory aspartyl proteinases (SAPs) and hyphae associated genes HWP1 and ECE1 were upregulated in VVC but with some differences among infected women. The most overexpressed SAP gene was SAP2, that correlated with neutrophils accumulation. Our data provide clinical evidence that the intracytoplasmic activation of NLRP3 inflammasome complex plays a critical, pathogenesis-relevant role in human VVC.

Cytokine induction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by biofilms and biofilm supernatants of Granulicatella and Abiotrophia spp

Granulicatella and Abiotrophia species are the normal oral flora bacteria that can occasionally cause infective endocarditis. Although substantial data exists in the literature demonstrating occurrence of these species in infective endocarditis, only a few mechanistic studies on their pathogenicity are found. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Granulicatella and Abiotrophia species to elicit immune response from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Biofilms and biofilm supernatants of Granulicatella elegans CCUG 38949, Granulicatella adiacens CCUG 27809 and Abiotrophia defectiva CCUG 27639 were used to stimulate PBMCs for 24 h. Cytokines produced were first screened using a human cytokine membrane array kit. Further, pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-β, and IL-17 were quantified by ELISA. The cytokine profiler array showed the induction of 15 different cytokines/chemokines including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, MCP-1, MIP-1α/MIP-1β and RANTES. ELISA quantification revealed that G. adiacens biofilm induced significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of IL-1β, i.e., 1931 (183) pg/ml than G. elegans or A. defectiva. However, in the case of biofilm supernatants A. defectiva was the strongest, inducing 2104 (574) pg/ml. Biofilm supernatants, but not biofilms from all three species induced TNF-α only weakly. IL-17 was undetectable from any of the stimulated samples. In conclusion, Granulicatella and Abiotrophia are potent inducers of inflammatory mediators from human PBMCs. However, biofilms and biofilm supernatants from these species seem to selectively elicit stimulation of certain cytokines.

Porphyromonas gingivalis-Derived Lipopolysaccharide Combines Hypoxia to Induce Caspase-1 Activation in Periodontitis

Periodontitis is defined as inflammation affecting the supporting tissue of teeth. Periodontal pathogens initiate the disease and induce inflammatory host response. Hypoxia may accelerate the process by producing pro-inflammatory factors. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) LPS in inducing caspase-1 activation in normoxic or hypoxic phases. The results showed that healthy gingiva was in a normoxic phase (HIF-1α negative). However, hypoxia appeared in periodontitis, in which NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and caspase-1-induced cell death was enhanced in periodontitis specimens. The in vitro experiment showed that P. gingivalis LPS slightly decreased the level of NLRP3 and IL-1β in gingival fibroblasts under normoxia. Surprisingly, hypoxia reversed the effects of P. gingivalis LPS, highly promoted caspase-1 activation and IL-1β maturation. E. coli LPS, a kind of pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) was chosen to simulate the effect of Gram-negative microbiota. Different from P. gingivalis LPS, E. coli LPS enhanced IL-1β maturation both in normoxia and hypoxia. Moreover, E. coli LPS turned normoxia into hypoxia phase in experimental periodontitis model, which may subsequently propel the inflammatory effect of P. gingivalis LPS. It was concluded that E. coli LPS induced a hypoxic phase, which is a combing pathological factor of P. gingivalis LPS in caspase-1 activating and IL-1β maturation in periodontal inflammation.

Involvement of NLRP10 in IL-1α induction of oral epithelial cells by periodontal pathogens

This study investigated the pathogenesis of periodontitis and the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 10 (NLRP10). The human oral epithelial cell line HOK-16B was infected with two periodontal pathogens, Tannerella forsythia and Fusobacterium nucleatum, at various MOIs. RT-PCR and immunoblotting demonstrated that infection increased mRNA and protein expression of NLRP10, respectively. The siRNA-mediated NLRP10 knockdown significantly reduced IL-1α expression and secretion. Both bacteria induced phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and p38 MAP kinases in HOK-16B cells. NLRP10 knockdown impaired ERK phosphorylation only. ERK inhibition significantly decreased the expression of T. forsythia- and F. nucleatum-induced IL-1α. Our data suggest that NLRP10 is involved in activating the ERK signalling pathway in HOK-16B cells infected with T. forsythia and F. nucleatum. This pathway likely augments the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1α levels, which may play a critical role in periodontitis.

PKR induces the expression of NLRP3 by regulating the NF-κB pathway in Porphyromonas gingivalis-infected osteoblasts

The double-stranded RNA-dependent kinase (PKR), which is activated by double stranded RNA, induces inflammation by regulating NF-κB signaling. The NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome also modulates inflammation in response to infection. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.gingivalis) is an oral bacterium which is implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. We previously reported that PKR is a key modulator of bone metabolism and inflammation in the periodontal tissue. PKR was also reported to induce inflammation in response to microbes by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome, suggesting that PKR could affect inflammation along with NLRP3 in periodontal diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects of PKR on NLRP3 expression and NF-κB activity in P. gingivalis infected osteoblasts. We first constructed a SNAP26b-tagged P.gingivalis (SNAP-P. g.) and traced its internalization into the cell. SNAP-P. g. increased the activity of PKR and NF-κB and also induced NLRP3 expression in osteoblasts. Inhibition of NF-κB attenuated SNAP-P. g.-induced NLRP3 expression. The knockdown of PKR using shRNA decreased both the activity of NF-κB and the expression of NLRP3 induced by SNAP-P.g.. We therefore concluded that in osteoblasts, P. gingivalis activated PKR, which in turn increased NLRP3 expression by activating NF-κB. Our results suggest that PKR modulates inflammation by regulating the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome through the NF-κB pathway in periodontal diseases.

Macrophages Play a Key Role in the Obesity-Induced Periodontal Innate Immune Dysfunction via Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain-Like Receptor Protein 3 Pathway

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissue. However, effects of obesity on macrophage infiltration and activation in periodontal tissues with periodontitis are still to be elucidated.

METHODS

A diet-induced obesity 16-week mouse model was constructed, and periodontitis was induced by periodontal ligation for 10 days. The model consisted of periodontitis (P) and control (C) groups, with high fat (HF) and normal (N) diet conditions. Bone loss (BL) was analyzed by microcomputed tomography. In periodontal tissues, immunohistochemical staining and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detected expressions of: 1) nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway; 2) macrophage-specific marker (F4/80); and 3) macrophage chemotactic protein 1 (MCP1). Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from the mouse model were stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro (NC/NC + LPS: BMDMs from NC group without/with LPS stimulation; HFC/HFC + LPS: BMDMs from HFC group without/with LPS stimulation). Expressions of NLRP3 pathway in BMDMs were detected by immunocytochemical staining and qPCR.

RESULTS

BL increased significantly with periodontitis (NC versus NP; HFC versus HFP) and obesity (NP versus HFP). Expressions of NLRP3 pathway were significantly elevated in gingival tissues with periodontitis (NC versus NP; HFC versus HFP), but not with obesity (NC versus HFC; NP versus HFP). F4/80 and MCP1 expressions were significantly upregulated in gingival tissues with periodontitis (NC versus NP; HFC versus HFP) but significantly downregulated in the context of obesity (NP versus HFP). In vitro, NLRP3 pathway expressions were significantly upregulated in BMDMs after LPS stimulation (NC + LPS versus NC; HFC + LPS versus HFC), but significantly downregulated in HFC groups (HFC versus NC; HFC + LPS versus NC + LPS).

CONCLUSION

Obesity may paralyze innate immune response of periodontium via attenuating infiltration and activation of macrophages and further aggravate periodontal disease.

Modulation of inflammasome activity by Porphyromonas gingivalis in periodontitis and associated systemic diseases

Inflammasomes are large multiprotein complexes localized in the cytoplasm of the cell. They are responsible for the maturation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 as well as for the activation of inflammatory cell death, the so-called pyroptosis. Inflammasomes assemble in response to cellular infection, cellular stress, or tissue damage; promote inflammatory responses and are of great importance in regulating the innate immune system in chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis and several chronic systemic diseases. In addition to sensing cellular integrity, inflammasomes are involved in the homeostatic mutualism between the indigenous microbiota and the host. There are several types of inflammasomes of which NLRP3 is best characterized in microbial pathogenesis. Many opportunistic bacteria try to evade the innate immune system in order to survive in the host cells. One of these is the periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis which has been shown to have several mechanisms of modulating innate immunity by limiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Among them, ATP-/P2X₇- signaling is recently associated not only with periodontitis but also with development of several systemic diseases. The present paper reviews multiple mechanisms through which P. gingivalis can modify innate immunity by affecting inflammasome activity.

Effects of aging in the expression of NOD-like receptors and inflammasome-related genes in oral mucosa

The molecular changes underlying the higher risk of chronic inflammatory disorders during aging remain incompletely understood. Molecular variations in the innate immune response related to recognition and interaction with microbes at mucosal surfaces could be involved in aging-related inflammation. We developed an ontology analysis of 20 nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) and seven inflammasome-related genes (IRGs) in healthy and inflamed/periodontitis oral mucosal tissues from young, adolescent, adult, and aged non-human primates (Macaca mulatta) using the GeneChip(®) Rhesus Macaque Genome array. Validation of some of the significant changes was done by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of NLRB/NAIP, NLRP12, and AIM2 increased with aging in healthy mucosa whereas NLRC2/NOD2 expression decreased. Although higher expression levels of some NLRs were generally observed with periodontitis in adult mucosal tissues (e.g. NLRB/NAIP, NLRP5, and NLRX1), various receptors (e.g. NLRC2/NOD2 and NLRP2) and the inflammasome adaptor protein ASC, exhibited a significant reduction in expression in aged periodontitis tissues. Accordingly, the expression of NLR-activated innate immune genes, such as HBD3 and IFNB1, was impaired in aged but not adult periodontitis tissues. Both adult and aged tissues showed significant increase in interleukin-1β expression. These findings suggest that the expression of a subset of NLRs appears to change with aging in healthy oral mucosa, and that aging-related oral mucosal inflammation could involve an impaired regulation of the inflammatory and antimicrobial response associated with downregulation of specific NLRs and IRGs.

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J triggers caspase-1-mediated inflammatory response in chick livers

Many pathogens trigger caspase-1-mediated innate immune responses. Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) causes serious immunosuppression and diverse tumors in chicks. The caspase-1 inflammasome mechanism of response to ALV-J invading remains unclear. Here we investigated the expression of caspase-1, the inflammasome adaptor NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 in response to ALV-J infection in the liver of chick. We found caspase-1 mRNA expression was elevated at 5 dpi and peaked at 7 dpi in ALV-J infected animals. Corresponding to this, the expressions of NLRP3 and proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased at 5 or 7 dpi. In addition, caspase-1 protein expression and inflammatory cell infiltration were induced after virus infection. These results indicated that ALV-J infection could trigger the caspase-1- mediated inflammatory response in chicks. Thus, an understanding of the inflammatory responses can provide a better insight into the pathogenicity of ALV-J and a possible anti-virus target for ALV-J infection.

Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) expressed in human dental pulp mediates IL-1β secretion in response to cytoplasmic DNA

The inflammasome has been determined to play an important role in inflammatory diseases in recent years. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), an inflammasome that recognizes cytoplasmic DNA, has recently been identified as a critical regulator of immune responses. In this study, we explored whether AIM2 was expressed in human dental pulp and defined the role of AIM2 in regulating interleukin (IL)-1β secretion. We demonstrated that AIM2 was only detected in the odontoblast layer of healthy dental pulp, whereas strong expression was observed in inflamed dental pulp. Stimulation with interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and cytoplasmic DNA significantly activated the AIM2 inflammasome and increased IL-1β secretion in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the knockdown of AIM2 downregulated both cleaved-caspase-1 expression and IL-1β release in HDPCs. These results suggest that AIM2 expressed in human dental pulp plays an important role in the immune defense by activating the inflammasome signaling pathway.

Proteomic profiling of host-biofilm interactions in an oral infection model resembling the periodontal pocket

Periodontal infections cause inflammatory destruction of the tooth supporting tissues. We recently developed a dynamic, in vitro periodontal organotypic tissue model in a perfusion bioreactor system, in co-culture with an 11-species subgingival biofilm, which may recapitulate early events during the establishment of periodontal infections. This study aimed to characterize the global proteome regulations in this host-biofilm interaction model. Semi-quantitative shotgun proteomics were applied for protein identification and quantification in the co-culture supernatants (human and bacterial) and the biofilm lysates (bacterial). A total of 896 and 3363 proteins were identified as secreted in the supernatant and expressed in the biofilm lysate, respectively. Enriched gene ontology analysis revealed that the regulated secreted human tissue proteins were related to processes of cytoskeletal rearrangement, stress responses, apoptosis, and antigen presentation, all of which are commensurate with deregulated host responses. Most secreted bacterial biofilm proteins derived from their cytoplasmic domain. In the presence of the tissue, the levels of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinomyces oris and Campylobacter rectus proteins were significantly regulated. The functions of the up-regulated intracellular (biofilm lysate) proteins were associated with cytokinesis. In conclusion, the proteomic overview of regulated pathways in this host-biofilm interaction model provides insights to the early events of periodontal pathogenesis.

The activation of pyrin domain-containing-3 inflammasome depends on lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis and extracellular adenosine triphosphate in cultured oral epithelial cells

Background

Gingival epithelial cells are the major population of the gingival tissue, acting as the front-line defense against microbial intrusion and regulating the homeostasis of the periodontal tissue in health and disease via NLR family pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which recognizes pathogen- and danger-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs and DAMPs). The aim of this study was to determine whether the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome depends on infection with the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), or stimulation with P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and/or extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Methods

An oral epithelial cell line was treated with P. gingivalis, P. gingivalis LPS and ATP. The gene and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components were quantified by real time RT-PCR and immunoblots. Production of IL-1β and IL-18 was measured by ELISA.

Results

There was no increase in NLRP3 inflammasome gene expression after P. gingivalis infection unless pre-stimulated by ATP. Obvious increases of NLRP3 inflammasome gene expression was observed after P. gingivalis LPS stimulation, even pre-stimulated by ATP at 2 h.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome does not rely on P. gingivalis infection, unless stimulated by P. gingivalis LPS and/or extracellular ATP, suggesting diverse signaling pathways are involved in the host immune response.