Gingipains protect Porphyromonas gingivalis from macrophage-mediated phagocytic clearance.

ABSTRACT: Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is a keystone pathogen in periodontitis, a highly prevalent disease manifested by chronic inflammation of the periodontium, alveolar bone resorption and tooth loss. During periodontitis pathobionts such as Pg can enter the bloodstream and growing evidence correlates periodontitis with increased risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanism by which immune cells respond to Pg challenge in vivo remains elusive. Pg produce aggressive proteolytic virulence factors termed gingipains which not only provide nutrients necessary for bacterial growth, but also subvert the host immune response, facilitating bacterial survival. Using transgenic zebrafish with fluorescently labelled macrophages and neutrophils, the role of gingipains in bact

SUBMITTER: Widziolek M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11801703 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature