The effect of the outer membrane fraction of Bacteroides gingivalis W50 on glycosaminoglycan metabolism by human gingival fibroblasts in culture

Porphyromonas gingivalis RgpA-Kgp proteinase-adhesin complexes penetrate gingival tissue and induce proinflammatory cytokines or apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner

The RgpA-Kgp proteinase-adhesin complexes of Porphyromonas gingivalis were observed, using immunostaining, in human gingival tissue associated with periodontitis but not in healthy tissue. The staining pattern suggested a concentration gradient from the subgingival plaque into the subjacent gingival connective tissue. Intense immunostaining was observed in areas displaying gross disturbance of tissue architecture. P. gingivalis cells and the RgpA-Kgp complexes at low concentrations were shown to stimulate secretory intercellular adhesion molecule 1, interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-6, and macrophage chemoattractant protein secretion from cultured human epithelial (KB) and fibroblast (MRC-5) cells. However, at high concentrations a reduction in the level of these mediators was observed. In contrast, macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha and IL-1alpha were stimulated only at high P. gingivalis cell concentrations. P. gingivalis cells and the RgpA-Kgp complexes were shown to induce apoptosis in KB and MRC-5 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These data suggest that the RgpA-Kgp complexes penetrate the gingival connective tissue; at low concentrations distal from the plaque the complexes stimulate the secretion of proinflammatory mediators, while at high concentrations proximal to the plaque they induce apoptosis and attenuate the secretion of proinflammatory mediators.

Turnover in periodontal connective tissues: dynamic homeostasis of cells, collagen and ground substances

The connective tissues of the periodontium are composed of two soft tissues and two hard tissues--each of which has unique features. This review considers the constituents of normal, healthy periodontal connective tissues together with an appraisal of the changes in the connective tissue matrices of the periodontium which occur during the development of periodontitis. Recent developments in this field have paved the way for new and exciting vistas in periodontal diagnosis and regeneration which, ultimately, are two important goals in periodontal therapy.

Comparative studies of the outer membranes of Bacteroides gingivalis, strains ATCC 33277, W50, W83, 381

Outer membrane fractions from Bacteroides gingivalis strains ATCC 33277, 381, W50, and W83 were isolated by French pressure cell disruption and the distribution of major and minor proteins was determined by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis after treatment with 2% Sarkosyl and 2% Triton X-100. Heat-modifiability of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) from these B. gingivalis strains was also determined after treatment at 100 degrees C and analysis by both 1- and 2-dimensional SDS-PAGE. The distribution of the OMPs on the surface of these B. gingivalis strains was determined by 125I labelling. For the most part of the OMPs of B. gingivalis presented a complex distribution, with OMPs observed between 123 kD and 13 kD. While the distribution of the OMPs was strain specific, OMPs common to all of the strains were observed. Two percent Sarkosyl treatment of the OMs at room temperature resulted in the solubilization of approximately 60% of the OMP. The Sarkosyl-insoluble MOMPs had relative molecular weights between 110 kD and 20 kD. Many of the OMPs which were separated at room temperature were heat-modified at either 65 degrees C or 100 degrees C. Heating of the OMs at 100 degrees C resulted in the heat modification of the majority of those OMPs observed at room temperature. Sarkosyl-100 degrees C OMs displayed MOMPs at apparent molecular weights between 90 kD and 15 kD. Radioiodination of the B. gingivalis strains ATCC 33277, 381, W83 and W50 revealed between 7 and 14 MOMPs at the cell surface depending upon the strain. The complexity of the OM of these B. gingivalis strains indicated the possibility of identifying and separating those OMPs involved in a variety of biological functions, including virulence, transport, and cell interaction.

Studies on the virulence properties and metabolism of pleiotropic mutants of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Bacteroides gingivalis) W50

Porphyromonas gingivalis (Bacteroides gingivalis) strain W50 and variants isolated from continuous culture designated W50/BP1 (black pigmented), W50/BR1 (brown pigmented) and W50/BE1 (beige or non-pigmented) were previously shown to lose virulence with the loss of pigmentation. Major properties which may affect the virulence and metabolism of P. gingivalis were compared amongst the 4 strains. The non-pigmented strain lost the ability to hemagglutinate sheep erythrocyte, had a reduced hydrophobicity and possessed lower levels of proteolytic activity. Defects in the electron transport system occurred at the level of cytochrome b but not menaquinone synthesis and resulted in an altered metabolic end product profile of the non-pigmented strain.