Roles for Arg- and Lys-gingipains in the disruption of cytokine responses and loss of viability of human endothelial cells by Porphyromonas gingivalis infection

Pathological and immunological differences of arterial thrombi and wall caused by three different periodontal bacterial injections in rat models and proposals on the pathogeneses of vascular diseases

OBJECTIVES

Periodontal bacteria that have been studied show a strong connection to various vascular diseases. Among the many kinds of periodontal bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is well examined in the general aspects and in a rat model. However, whether other periodontal bacteria work or react differently is not studied well.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We chose Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Prevotella intermedia (Pi) as different types of periodontal bacteria. Low-density and high-density bacterial solutions were injected in the small artery of rats' groins using our rat model. Eighteen limbs of 9 SD male rats (500-650 g) were used. After 7 days, 14-18 days, and 28 days, the rats were sacrificed. A pathological and an immuno-histochemical study was conducted and reported on the low-density group with 12 limbs because the Pi group lacked a high-density study. Immuno-histochemical staining of live Pg was performed on three limbs of three rats at 1 h, 3 h, and 1 week after injection.

RESULTS

The appearances from the acute, at 7 days, to chronic phases, at 28 days, were observed. The differences of the species were certainly observed in the internal elastic lamina (IEL), and immuno-histochemical reactions. The inflammatory reactions, such as cellular distribution or intra-thrombus materials, were similar in all. One week later, we could not see any living bacteria in the specimen or immunological observation.

CONCLUSIONS

The three species were essentially the same, except for Aa's stronger disruption of IEL, and more CD3 (Pan T cell) in Pi and more CD79a (Pan B cell) in Pg. We propose a new concept of a possible mechanism of vascular diseases, in which the work of LPS (lipopolysaccharides) and a toll-like receptor (TLR) is emphasized.

Gingipains disrupt F-actin and cause osteoblast apoptosis via integrin β1

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the cellular mechanisms underlying gingipain-caused changes in cell morphology and apoptosis of osteoblasts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Human calvarial osteoblasts and mouse osteoblasts MC3T3-E1 were treated with gingipain extracts from Porphyromonas gingivalis stain W83. Apoptosis was detected with annexin V and propidium iodide flow cytometry analysis or terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining. F-actin was determined by immunostaining. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression. Knocking down and overexpressing approaches were used to determine the role of integrin β1.

RESULTS

Osteoblasts exposed to gingipain extracts displayed increased apoptosis, accompanied by loss of F-actin integrity and cell shrinkage. The effects of gingipain extracts were abolished by the cysteine protease inhibitor N-tosyl-l-lysyl chloromethyl-ketone. Notably, gingipain extracts resulted in reduction of integrin β1, accompanied by diminished active RhoA whereas without effect on the total RhoA. Knockdown of integrin β1 resembled those seen in gingipain-treated osteoblasts. By contrast, the effects of gingipain extracts were abrogated by either overexpression of integrin β1 or presence of RhoA agonist CN03.

CONCLUSION

Gingipain-induced F-actin disruption and apoptosis are mediated by the degradation of integrin β1 and inhibition of RhoA activity, which account for osteoblast apoptosis.

Gingipains: Critical Factors in the Development of Aspiration Pneumonia Caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis

Aspiration pneumonia is a life-threatening infectious disease often caused by oral anaerobic and periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. This organism produces proteolytic enzymes, known as gingipains, which manipulate innate immune responses and promote chronic inflammation. Here, we challenged mice with P. gingivalis W83 and examined the role of gingipains in bronchopneumonia, lung abscess formation, and inflammatory responses. Although gingipains were not required for P. gingivalis colonization and survival in the lungs, they were essential for manifestation of clinical symptoms and infection-related mortality. Pathologies caused by wild-type (WT) P. gingivalis W83, including hemorrhage, necrosis, and neutrophil infiltration, were absent from lungs infected with gingipain-null isogenic strains or WT bacteria preincubated with gingipain-specific inhibitors. Damage to lung tissue correlated with systemic inflammatory responses, as manifested by elevated levels of TNF, IL-6, IL-17, and C-reactive protein. These effects were unequivocally dependent on gingipain activity. Gingipain activity was also implicated in the observed increase in IL-17 in lung tissues. Furthermore, gingipains increased platelet counts in the blood and activated platelets in the lungs. Arginine-specific gingipains made a greater contribution to P. gingivalis-related morbidity and mortality than lysine-specific gingipains. Thus, inhibition of gingipain may be a useful adjunct treatment for P. gingivalis-mediated aspiration pneumonia.

Inhibitors of bacterial protease enzymes for periodontal therapy

Locally applied therapeutic agents have become established in the treatment of periodontal disease. Inhibition of human metalloproteases by metal-chelating antibiotics contributes to the utility of local therapy. Adding inhibitors of bacterial proteases might extend and improve local therapy. The periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) produces two extracellular cysteine proteases (gingipains Rgp and Kgp) that are virulence factors and contribute to destruction of oral tissues. Our aims were to compare efficacy of protease inhibitors against gingipains and evaluate bactericidal activity of the inhibitors. Protease activity was measured in fluorescent assays with specific Rgp and Kgp substrates. Bacterial viability was measured with BacLight™ (Invitrogen, Inc., Carlsbad, CA) reagents. Pairs of inhibitors of Rgp and Kgp, respectively, were leupeptin and cathepsin B inhibitor II, KYT-1 and KYT-36, and PPACK and Z-FK-ck. The cysteine-protease inhibitor E64 was also tested. Rgp activity was higher than Kgp activity, and activity was higher in Pg 33277 and 49417 cell suspensions than in media. Concentrations required for 50% inhibition of Rgp in cell suspensions were 2 × 10-9, 2 × 10-9, 2 × 10-8, and 5 × 10-5 M for KYT-1, PPACK, leupeptin, and E64, respectively. Concentrations required for 50% Kgp inhibition were 5 × 10-10, 1 × 10-9, and 5 × 10-8 M for Z-FK-ck, KYT-36, and cathepsin B inhibitor II. E64 did not inhibit Kgp. Inhibition of Rgp could be accounted for by competition for binding between the arginine residue of the substrate and the guanidinobutane portion of E64. PPACK was the least selective, with a 10-fold difference in concentrations that inhibited Rgp and Kgp. KYT-1 and Z-FK-ck inhibited both Rgp and Kgp, but inhibitory concentrations differed by 10,000-fold. At up to 1 × 10-4 M, only Z-FK-ck was bactericidal. KYT-1 and KYT-36 were remarkably effective even when used in cell suspensions in which bacterial proteins could bind inhibitors or compete for binding to gingipains. These inhibitors might prove useful as an addition to locally applied therapeutic agents.

Bacterial proteases: targets for diagnostics and therapy

Proteases are essential for the proliferation and growth of bacteria, and are also known to contribute to bacterial virulence. This makes them interesting candidates as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for infectious diseases. In this review, the authors discuss the most recent developments and potential applications for bacterial proteases in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections. Current and future bacterial protease targets are described and their limitations outlined.

Expression levels of novel cytokine IL-32 in periodontitis and its role in the suppression of IL-8 production by human gingival fibroblasts stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis

Background

IL-32 was recently found to be elevated in the tissue of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by polymicrobial infections that result in soft tissue destruction and alveolar bone loss. Although IL-32 is also thought to be associated with periodontal disease, its expression and possible role in periodontal tissue remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the expression patterns of IL-32 in healthy and periodontally diseased gingival tissue. The expression of IL-32 in cultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) as well as effects of autocrine IL-32 on IL-8 production from HGF were also examined.

Methods

Periodontal tissue was collected from both healthy volunteers and periodontitis patients, and immunofluorescent staining was performed in order to determine the production of IL-32. Using real-time PCR and ELISA, mRNA expression and protein production of IL-32 in HGF, stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), were also investigated.

Results

Contrary to our expectation, the production of IL-32 in the periodontitis patients was significantly lower than in the healthy volunteers. According to immunofluorescent microscopy, positive staining for IL-32 was detected in prickle and basal cell layers in the epithelium as well as fibroblastic cells in connective tissue. Addition of fixed Pgin vitro was found to suppress the otherwise constitutive expression of IL-32 mRNA and protein in HGF. However, recombinant IL-32 in vitro inhibited the expression of IL-8 mRNA by HGF stimulated with Pg. Interestingly, anti-IL-32 neutralizing antibody upregulated the IL-8 mRNA expression in non-stimulated HGF, indicating that constitutive expression of IL-32 in HGF suppressed IL-8 mRNA expression in the absence of bacterial stimulation.

Conclusion

These results indicate that IL-32 is constitutively produced by HGF which can be suppressed by Pg and may play a role in the downregulation of inflammatory responses, such as IL-8 production, in periodontal tissue.

The cysteine protease α-clostripain is not essential for the pathogenesis of Clostridium perfringens-mediated myonecrosis

Clostridium perfringens is the causative agent of clostridial myonecrosis or gas gangrene and produces many different extracellular toxins and enzymes, including the cysteine protease α-clostripain. Mutation of the α-clostripain structural gene, ccp, alters the turnover of secreted extracellular proteins in C. perfringens, but the role of α-clostripain in disease pathogenesis is not known. We insertionally inactivated the ccp gene C. perfringens strain 13 using TargeTron technology, constructing a strain that was no longer proteolytic on skim milk agar. Quantitative protease assays confirmed the absence of extracellular protease activity, which was restored by complementation with the wild-type ccp gene. The role of α-clostripain in virulence was assessed by analysing the isogenic wild-type, mutant and complemented strains in a mouse myonecrosis model. The results showed that although α-clostripain was the major extracellular protease, mutation of the ccp gene did not alter either the progression or the development of disease. These results do not rule out the possibility that this extracellular enzyme may still have a role in the early stages of the disease process.

Gingipain-dependent interactions with the host are important for survival of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major periodontal pathogen, must acquire nutrients from host derived substrates, overcome oxidative stress and subvert the immune system. These activities can be coordinated via the gingipains which represent the most significant virulence factor produced by this organism. In the context of our contribution to this field, we will review the current understanding of gingipain biogenesis, glycosylation, and regulation, as well as discuss their role in oxidative stress resistance and apoptosis. We can postulate a model, in which gingipains may be part of the mechanism for P. gingivalis virulence.

Gingipains from Porphyromonas gingivalis synergistically induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines through protease-activated receptors with Toll-like receptor and NOD1/2 ligands in human monocytic cells

Gingipains (HRgpA, RgpB and Kgp) are cysteine proteinases and virulence factors of Porphyromonas gingivalis, the major causative bacterium of periodontal disease. To study synergistic effects of gingipains and signalling via Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and NOD1/2, we investigated effects of a gingipain on the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines from monocytic THP-1 cells in the presence of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Gingipains stimulated interleukin (IL)-8's secretion from THP-1 cells, which was completely inhibited by proteinase inhibitors of gingipain and increased in the presence of PAMPs. Synergistic effects of gingipains and PAMPs were also seen in the secretion of IL-6 and MCP-1 and reduced to about 50% the secretion of IL-8 from THP-1 cells treated with siRNA targeting either protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1, -2 or -3. PAR agonist peptides mimicked the synergistic effects of gingipains with PAMPs. These results indicate that gingipains stimulate the secretion of cytokines from monocytic cells through the activation of PARs with synergistic effects by PAMPs. This is the first report of synergism of signalling via PARs, and TLRs or NOD1/2. The host defence system against P. gingivalis may be triggered through the activation of PARs by gingipains and augmented by PAMPs from this pathogen via TLRs or NOD1/2.

Porphyromonas gingivalis selectively up-regulates the HIV-1 coreceptor CCR5 in oral keratinocytes

Primary infection of oral epithelial cells by HIV-1, if it occurs, could promote systemic infection. Most primary systemic infections are associated with R5-type HIV-1 targeting the R5-specific coreceptor CCR5, which is not usually expressed on oral keratinocytes. Because coinfection with other microbes has been suggested to modulate cellular infection by HIV-1, we hypothesized that oral keratinocytes may up-regulate CCR5 in response to the oral endogenous pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis by cysteine-protease (gingipains) activation of the protease-activated receptors (PARs) or LPS signaling through the TLRs. The OKF6/TERT-2-immortalized normal human oral keratinocyte line expressed CXCR4, whereas CCR5 was not detectable. When exposed to P. gingivalis ATCC 33277, TERT-2 cells induced greater time-dependent expression of CCR5-specific mRNA and surface coreceptors than CXCR4. By comparing arg- (Rgp) and lys-gingipain (Kgp) mutants, a mutant deficient in both proteases, and the action of trypsin, P. gingivalis Rgp was strongly suggested to cleave PAR-1 and PAR-2 to up-regulate CCR5. CCR5 was also slightly up-regulated by an isogenic gingipain-deficient mutant, suggesting the presence of a nongingipain-mediated mechanism. Purified P. gingivalis LPS also up-regulated CCR5. Blocking TLR2 and TLR4 receptors with Abs attenuated induction of CCR5, suggesting LPS signaling through TLRs. P. gingivalis, therefore, selectively up-regulated CCR5 by two independent signaling pathways, Rgp acting on PAR-1 and PAR-2, and LPS on TLR2 and TLR4. By inducing CCR5 expression, P. gingivalis coinfection could promote selective R5-type HIV-1 infection of oral keratinocytes.

Porphyromonas gingivalis infection and cell death in human aortic endothelial cells

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a periodontal pathogen that promotes a proatherogenic response in endothelial cells. Cell death responses of human aortic endothelial cells to P. gingivalis at various multiplicities of infection (MOI) were investigated by assessment of cell detachment, histone-associated DNA fragmentation, lactate dehydrogenase release and ADP:ATP ratio. Porphyromonas gingivalis at MOI 1:10-1:100 did not have a cytotoxic effect, but induced apoptotic cell death at MOI 1:500 and 1:1000. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production was significantly enhanced by P. gingivalis at MOI 1:100. At higher MOI, at least in vitro, P. gingivalis mediates endothelial apoptosis, thereby potentially amplifying proatherogenic mechanisms in the perturbed vasculature.

Treponema denticola induces interleukin-8 and macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 production in human umbilical vein epithelial cells

Treponema denticola, a major pathogen of periodontitis, has also been detected in the lesions of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate induction of chemokine production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by T. denticola and determine whether those chemokines were degraded by a protease, dentilisin. T. denticola ATCC35405 or dentilisin-deficient mutant K1 were added to HUVECs and levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the culture supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T. denticola ATCC35405 induced production of IL-8 in a time-dependent manner, with both production of IL-8 and expression of IL-8 mRNA showing higher levels than with exposure to dentilisin-deficient mutant K1. Although exposure to ATCC35405 induced expression of MCP-1 mRNA in the HUVECs, MCP-1 levels were remained similar to that in unstimulated cells. IL-8 and MCP-1 showed partial hydrolysis with exposure to T. denticola ATCC35405, but not with T. denticola K1. These results suggest that T. denticola can evade host defense mechanisms by modulating production of IL-8 and MCP-1, and that this play a role in the development of chronic infections such as periodontitis. The association of T. denticola infection to atherosclerosis was also discussed based on the present study.

Role for gingipains in Porphyromonas gingivalis traffic to phagolysosomes and survival in human aortic endothelial cells

Gingipains are cysteine proteinases that are responsible for the virulence of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Recent studies have shown that P. gingivalis is trapped within autophagic compartments of infected cells, where it promotes survival. In this study we investigated the role of gingipains in the intracellular trafficking and survival of this bacterium in human aortic endothelial cells and any possible involvement of these enzymes in the autophagic pathway. Although autophagic events were enhanced by infection with either wild-type (WT) P. gingivalis strains (ATCC 33277, 381, and W83) or an ATCC 33277 mutant lacking gingipains (KDP136), we have found that more than 90% of intracellular WT and KDP136 colocalized with cathepsin B, a lysosome marker, and only a few of the internalized cells colocalized with LC3, an autophagosome marker, during the 0.5- to 4-h postinfection period. This was further substantiated by immunogold electron microscopic analyses, thus implying that P. gingivalis evades the autophagic pathway and instead directly traffics to the endocytic pathway to lysosomes. At the late stages after infection, WT strains in phagolysosomes retained their double-membrane structures. KDP136 in these compartments, however, lost its double-membrane structures, representing a characteristic feature of its vulnerability to rupture. Together with the ultrastructural observations, we found that the number of intracellular viable WT cells decreased more slowly than that of KDP136 cells, thus suggesting that gingipains contribute to bacterial survival, but not to trafficking, within the infected cells.

Selective proteolysis of apolipoprotein B-100 by Arg-gingipain mediates atherosclerosis progression accelerated by bacterial exposure

Epidemiological studies suggest the association of periodontal infections with atherosclerosis, however, the mechanism underlying this association remains poorly understood. Porphyromonas gingivalis is the primary etiologic agent of adult periodontitis and produces a unique class of cysteine proteinases consisting of Arg-gingipain (Rgp) and Lys-gingipain (Kgp). To elucidate key mechanisms for progression of atherosclerosis by P. gingivalis infection, we tested the effects of the disruption of genes encoding Rgp and/or Kgp and inhibitors specific for the respective enzymes on atherosclerosis progression in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice. Repeated intravenous injection of wild-type P. gingivalis resulted in an increase in atherosclerotic lesions as well as an increase in the serum LDL cholesterol and a decrease of HDL cholesterol in these animals. LDL particles in P. gingivalis-injected animals were modified as a result of selective proteolysis of apoB-100 in LDL particles. This modification of LDL by P. gingivalis resulted in an increase in LDL uptake by macrophages and consequent foam cell formation in vitro. The atherosclerotic changes induced by P. gingivalis infection were attenuated by disruption of Rgp-encoding genes or by an Rgp-specific inhibitor. Our results indicate that degradation of apoB-100 by Rgp plays a crucial role in the promotion of atherosclerosis by P. gingivalis infection.

Effects of various growth conditions in a chemostat on expression of virulence factors in Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the gram-negative organisms associated with periodontal disease, possesses potential virulence factors, including fimbriae, proteases, and major outer membrane proteins (OMPs). In this study, P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 was cultured in a chemostat under hemin excess and presumably peptide-limiting conditions to better understand the mechanisms of expression of the virulence factors upon environmental changes. At higher growth rates, the amounts of FimA and the 75-kDa protein, forming long and short fimbriae, respectively, increased significantly, whereas gingipains decreased in amount and activity. In a nutrient-limited medium, lesser amounts of the above two fimbrial proteins were observed, whereas clear differences were not found in the amounts of gingipains. In addition, two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed that proteins in cells were generally fewer in number during nutrient-limited growth. Under aeration, a considerable reduction in gingipain activity was found, whereas several proteins associated with intact cells significantly increased. However, the expression of major OMPs, such as RagA, RagB, and the OmpA-like proteins, was almost constant under all conditions tested. These results suggest that P. gingivalis may actively control expression of several virulence factors to survive in the widely fluctuating oral environment.

Periodontitis is associated with preeclampsia in pregnant women

BACKGROUND

Recent investigations have demonstrated a positive association between periodontitis and pregnancy complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of periodontitis and the subgingival microbial composition on preeclampsia.

METHODS

A case-control study was carried out in Cali, Colombia that included 130 preeclamptic and 243 non-preeclamptic women between 26 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. Sociodemographic data, obstetric risk factors, periodontal status, and subgingival microbial composition were determined in both groups. Preeclampsia was defined as blood pressure>or=140/90 mm Hg, and >or=2+ proteinuria, confirmed by 0.3 g proteinuria/24 hours of urine specimens. Controls were healthy pregnant women. Odds ratios (ORs) for periodontitis and subgingival microbiota compositions were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 83 out of 130 preeclamptic women (63.8%) and 89 out of 243 controls (36.6%) had chronic periodontitis (OR: 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.91 to 4.87; P<0.001). Clinical attachment loss increased in the case group (4.0+/-0.10 mm) compared to the control group (3.0+/-0.08 mm) (P<0.001). The average newborn birth weight from preeclamptic mothers was 2.453 g, whereas in controls was 2.981 g (P<0.001). Two red complex microorganisms, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythensis, and the green complex microorganism Eikenella corrodens were more prevalent in the preeclamptic group than in controls (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic periodontal disease and the presence of P. gingivalis, T. forsythensis, and E. corrodens were significantly associated with preeclampsia in pregnant women. Further research is needed to establish pathogenic mechanisms of active periodontal disease and subgingival periodontopathogens related to preeclampsia development.

Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced platelet aggregation in plasma depends on Hgp44 adhesin but not Rgp proteinase

Evidence from recent epidemiological studies suggests a link between periodontal infections and increased risk of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in human subjects. One of the major pathogens of periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, has the ability to aggregate human platelets in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Mechanism of P. gingivalis-induced platelet aggregation in PRP was investigated. Proteinase inhibitors toward Arg-gingipain (Rgp) and Lys-gingipain (Kgp) did not suppress P. gingivalis-induced platelet aggregation in PRP, whereas the Rgp inhibitor markedly inhibited P. gingivalis-induced platelet aggregation using washed platelets. Mutant analysis revealed that P. gingivalis-induced platelet aggregation in PRP depended on Rgp-, Kgp- and haemagglutinin A (HagA)-encoding genes that intragenically coded for adhesins such as Hgp44. Hgp44 adhesin on the bacterial cell surface, which was processed by Rgp and Kgp proteinases, was essential for P. gingivalis-induced platelet aggregation in PRP. P. gingivalis cell-reactive IgG in plasma, and FcgammaRIIa receptor and to a lesser extent GPIbalpha receptor on platelets were found to be a prerequisite for P. gingivalis-induced platelet aggregation in PRP. These results reveal a novel mechanism of platelet aggregation by P. gingivalis.

Apple- and Hop-Polyphenols Protect Periodontal Ligament Cells Stimulated With Enamel Matrix Derivative FromPorphyromonas gingivalis

BACKGROUND

Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) is a tissue regenerative agent used clinically as an adjunct to periodontal surgery. It was previously demonstrated that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen, significantly diminished the efficacy of EMD with periodontal ligament (PDL) cells through the proteolytic actions of Arg- and Lys-gingipains (Rgp and Kgp). Thus, antiproteolytic supplements are considered clinically desirable for effective periodontal regenerative therapies. In the present study, we examined apple- (AP) and hop-polyphenols to determine their ability to protect EMD-stimulated PDL cells from P. gingivalis.

METHODS

AP, apple condensed tannin (ACT), hop bract polyphenol (HBP), high and low molecular weight fractions of HBP (HMW-HBP and LMW-HBP), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) were used. PDL cells were grown on EMD-coated dishes and infected with P. gingivalis, and cellular migration and proliferation were evaluated with an in vitro assay of wound healing assay in the presence or absence of the polyphenols.

RESULTS

Each polyphenol significantly enhanced the viability of PDL cells infected with P. gingivalis, whereas only EGCg demonstrated cytotoxicity. Further, all polyphenols significantly inhibited Rgp activity, with AP, ACT, and HBP more effective toward Kgp. P. gingivalis markedly diminished the migration and proliferation of EMD-stimulated PDL cells, whereas the addition of AP, ACT, HBP, and HMW-HBP significantly protected the cells from bacterial cytotoxicity. In contrast, EGCg and LMW-HBP did not show protective effects.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that AP, ACT, AP, HBP, and HMW-HBP protect EMD-stimulated PDL cells from P. gingivalis and may be therapeutically useful supplements for EMD therapy.

Gingipains from Porphyromonas gingivalis W83 induce cell adhesion molecule cleavage and apoptosis in endothelial cells

The presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the periodontal pocket and the high levels of gingipain activity detected in gingival crevicular fluid could implicate a role for gingipains in the destruction of the highly vascular periodontal tissue. To explore the effects of these proteases on endothelial cells, we exposed bovine coronary artery endothelial cells and human microvascular endothelial cells to gingipain-active extracellular protein preparations and/or purified gingipains from P. gingivalis. Treated cells exhibited a rapid loss of cell adhesion properties that was followed by apoptotic cell death. Cleavage of N- and VE-cadherin and integrin beta1 was observed in immunoblots of cell lysates. There was a direct correlation between the kinetics of cleavage of N- and VE-cadherin and loss of cell adhesion properties. Loss of cell adhesion, as well as N- and VE-cadherin and integrin beta1 cleavage, could be inhibited or significantly delayed by preincubation of P. gingivalis W83 gingipain-active extracellular extracts with the cysteine protease inhibitor Nalpha-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethylketone. Furthermore, purified gingipains also induced endothelial cell detachment and apoptosis. Apoptosis-associated events, including annexin V positivity, caspase-3 activation, and cleavage of the caspase substrates poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and topoisomerase I (Topo I), were observed in endothelial cells after detachment. All of the effects observed were correlated with the different levels of cysteine-dependent proteolytic activity of the extracts tested. Taken together, these results indicate that gingipains from P. gingivalis can alter cell adhesion molecules and induce endothelial cell death, which could have implications for the pathogenicity of this organism.

A functional virulence complex composed of gingipains, adhesins, and lipopolysaccharide shows high affinity to host cells and matrix proteins and escapes recognition by host immune systems

Arg-gingipain (Rgp) and Lys-gingipain (Kgp) are Porphyromonas gingivalis cysteine proteinases implicated as major virulence factors in pathologies of periodontitis. We purified a 660-kDa cell-associated gingipain complex existing as a homodimer of two catalytically active monomers which comprises their catalytic and adhesin domains. Electron microscopy revealed that the complex was composed of a globular particle with a 10-nm external diameter possessing one or two electron-dense hole-like structures. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analyses revealed the association of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with the catalytic domains and a hemagglutinin domain, Hgp44, of Rgp and Kgp in the complex. The complex significantly degraded human type I collagen and elastin and strongly disrupted viability of human gingival fibroblasts and umbilical vein endotherial cells with an efficiency which was higher than that of the monomeric gingipains. The native complex produced only a small amount of nitrogen dioxide, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 by macrophages, whereas the heat-denatured complex resulted in increased production. Inhibition of the proteolytic activities of the gingipain complex did not up-regulate the cytokine production, indicating that the functional domains in LPS are structurally masked by the complex proteins. These results indicate the importance of the complex in evasion of host defense mechanisms as well as in host tissue breakdown.

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction based on single copy gene sequence for detection of periodontal pathogens

OBJECTIVE

To develop a method for quantification of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Tannerella forsythensis (Tf) from subgingival plaque samples based on TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Bacterial cells from these species were obtained after culturing reference strains and were counted microscopically. Cellular suspensions in Tris-EDTA buffer were used for DNA extraction after boiling for 20 min. Primers for PCR were selected from sequences of the LktC (Aa), Arg-gingipain (Pg) and BspA antigen (Tf) genes in order to yield amplicons below 100 bp. TaqMan-based real-time PCR was adjusted to quantify each species separately. Cycle threshold (C(T)) values were calculated for each species according to the initial number of copies. A reliability analysis was carried out using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) with a two-way random effects model.

RESULTS

A high sensitivity and specificity was obtained for the detection of the three bacterial species. The TaqMan real-time PCR technology yielded a good repeatability in the obtained cycle threshold (C(T)) values for each initial number of copies, demonstrating coefficients of variation below 5% for each bacteria. The reproducibility of the technique was also demonstrated by the high ICCs (>0.98; p<0.00001) obtained for each bacteria with and without the addition of subgingival plaque.

CONCLUSION

A novel diagnostic method based on TaqMan real-time PCR was developed for the quantification of Aa, Pg and Tf. It has demonstrated good sensitivity and repeatability on pure cultures. Its diagnostic utility should be demonstrated in subgingival plaque samples.

Suppression of Pathogenicity ofPorphyromonas gingivalisby Newly Developed Gingipain Inhibitors

Arg-gingipain (Rgp) and Lys-gingipain (Kgp) are cysteine proteinases produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major etiological bacterium of periodontal diseases. Here we show a series of small peptide analogs able to inhibit either Rgp or Kgp, which are synthesized on the basis of the cleavage site specificity of human salivary histatins by each enzyme. Among this series of compounds, carbobenzoxy-Lys-Arg-CO-Lys-N-(CH2)2 (KYT-1) and carbobenzoxy-Glu(NHN(CH3)Ph)-Lys-CO-NHCH2Ph (KYT-36) were found to be the most potent inhibitors of Rgp and Kgp, respectively, with Ki values of 10(-11) to 10(-10) M order. Both inhibitors exhibited slight or no inhibition on mammalian proteinases such as trypsin and cathepsins B, L, and H. All of the virulence induced by the culture supernatant of P. gingivalis tested, including the degradation of various host proteins such as human type I collagen, immunoglobulins, fibronectin, and fibrinogen, disruption of the bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and enhancement of the vascular permeability, were strongly inhibited by a combined action of both inhibitors. The functions essential for the bacterium to grow and survive in the periodontal pocket, such as coaggregation and acquisition of amino acids, were also strongly inhibited by the combined action of both inhibitors. The disruption of the adhesion and viability of human fibroblasts and hemagglutination by the organism were strongly suppressed by a single use of KYT-1. These results thus indicate that the newly developed KYT-1 and KYT-36 both should provide a broader application in studies of this important class of enzymes and facilitate the development of new approaches to periodontal diseases.

Effect of enamel matrix derivative on periodontal ligament cells in vitro is diminished by Porphyromonas gingivalis

BACKGROUND

Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) has been shown to possess a mitogenic effect to induce effective periodontal regeneration, however, it is unclear whether periodontal pathogens can modulate the effect of EMD. The present study examined the influence of Porphyromonas gingivalis on EMD-stimulated periodontal ligament (PDL) cells.

METHODS

P. gingivalis ATCC33277 and its mutants deficient in fimbriae (delta fimA) or gingipains (delta rgpA delta rgpB, delta kgp, and delta rgpA delta rgpB delta kgp) were employed. PDL cells were grown on EMD-coated dishes and infected with P. gingivalis wild strain or a mutant. Cell migration and proliferation were then evaluated with an in vitro wound healing assay. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mRNA by PDL cells was examined. Further, the degradation and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) as well as paxillin in infected PDL cells were estimated using Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

P. gingivalis ATCC33277 inhibited the migration and proliferation of PDL cells on EMD-coated dishes, and the mutants delta fimA, delta rgpA delta rgpB, and delta kgp showed the same effects. Further, each of these organisms diminished the expression of TGF-beta1 and IGF-I mRNA, as well as the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 from EMD-stimulated PDL cells. In addition, total paxillin protein was markedly degraded by both the wild-type strain and each of the mutants except for delta rgpA delta rgpB delta kgp, which showed a negligible effect in all of the assays with EMD-stimulated PDL cells.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that P. gingivalis diminishes the effect of EMD on PDL cells in vitro through a cooperative action of gingipains.

Porphyromonas gingivalis induces receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand expression in osteoblasts through the activator protein 1 pathway

Porphyromonas gingivalis, an important periodontal pathogen, is closely associated with inflammatory alveolar bone resorption, and several components of the organism such as lipopolysaccharides have been reported to stimulate production of cytokines that promote inflammatory bone destruction. We investigated the effect of infection with viable P. gingivalis on cytokine production by osteoblasts. Reverse transcription-PCR and real-time PCR analyses revealed that infection with P. gingivalis induced receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) ligand (RANKL) mRNA expression in mouse primary osteoblasts. Production of interleukin-6 was also stimulated; however, osteoprotegerin was not. SB20350 (an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase), PD98059 (an inhibitor of classic mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, MEK1/2), wortmannin (an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase), and carbobenzoxyl-leucinyl-leucinyl-leucinal (an inhibitor of NF-kappaB) did not prevent the RANKL expression induced by P. gingivalis. Degradation of inhibitor of NF-kappaB-alpha was not detectable; however, curcumin, an inhibitor of activator protein 1 (AP-1), prevented the RANKL production induced by P. gingivalis infection. Western blot analysis revealed that phosphorylation of c-Jun, a component of AP-1, occurred in the infected cells, and an analysis of c-Fos binding to an oligonucleotide containing an AP-1 consensus site also demonstrated AP-1 activation in infected osteoblasts. Infection with P. gingivalis KDP136, an isogenic deficient mutant of arginine- and lysine-specific cysteine proteinases, did not stimulate RANKL production. These results suggest that P. gingivalis infection induces RANKL expression in osteoblasts through AP-1 signaling pathways and cysteine proteases of the organism are involved in RANKL production.

Quantitative real-time PCR based on single copy gene sequence for detection of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis

OBJECTIVE

To establish a method for quantification of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis from subgingival plaque by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Bacterial cells from both species were obtained from type culture and counted microscopically. Cellular suspension in sterile distilled water was used for DNA extraction by boiling for 20 min, with a mineral oil cover. Primers for PCR were selected from sequences of LktC gene (A. actinomycetemcomitans) and Arg-gingipain (P. gingivalis) to yield amplicons below 100 bp. SYBR Green I based real-time PCR was adjusted to quantify separately both species.

RESULTS

A good sensitivity and specificity were obtained for both species, although the yield was better for A. actinomycetemcomitans. A good repeatability of cycle threshold (CT) was encountered, so coefficient of variation was below 6% at every initial copy number.

CONCLUSION

A new method of quantification of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis based on SYBR Green real-time PCR is presented. Its good sensibility and repeatability will allow its application to analysis of subgingival plaque samples.

Isolation and characterization of a novel and potent inhibitor of Arg-gingipain from Streptomyces sp. strain FA-70

Arg-gingipain (Rgp) is a major cysteine proteinase produced by the oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is a major pathogen of advanced periodontal diseases. This enzyme is important for the bacterium both to exhibit its virulence and to survive in periodontal pockets. The development of Rgp inhibitors thus provides new therapeutic approaches to periodontal diseases. In this study, we first isolated and purified a novel and potent inhibitor of Rgp from the culture supernatant of Streptomyces species strain FA-70, now designated as FA-70C1. This compound was found to be an antipain analog composed of phenylalanyl-ureido-citrullinyl-valinyl-cycloarginal (C27H43N9O7). The Ki value was calculated to be 4.5x10(-9) M when benzyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanyl-arginine-4-methly-coumaryl-7-amide was used as a substrate. This compound also inhibited cathepsins B, L, and H, though their Ki values were much higher than that of Rgp. FA-70C1 had little or no inhibitory activity on Lys-gingipain, another cysteine proteinase of P. gingivalis. The Rgp-induced degradation of various human proteins was completely blocked by this inhibitor. Disruption of both the bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the viability of human fibroblasts and umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by the culture supernatant of P. gingivalis was suppressed by the inhibitor in a dose-dependent manner. The enhancement of vascular permeability induced by in vivo administration of the culture supernatant of P. gingivalis was strongly inhibited by the inhibitor. Furthermore, the growth of P. gingivalis was suppressed by FA-70C1 in a dose-dependent manner. These results strongly suggest that FA-70C1 is a useful tool to prevent the virulence of P. gingivalis.