Porphromonas gingivalis infection induces gingipain-dependent changes in the brain vasculature of zebrafish larvae.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies link infections with blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunctions, neuroinflammation and subsequent neurodegeneration. Here, we employed a zebrafish larval model to study the impact of systemic infection with an oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and its major virulence factors - gingipains, on BBB integrity and cerebral vasculature. We demonstrated that systemic infection with wild-type Pg W83 significantly increased BBB permeability in zebrafish larvae, as evidenced by the extravasation of tracers into the brain parenchyma. This effect was absent in larvae infected with a gingipain-deficient mutant bacteria (ΔK/R-ab), indicating a pivotal role for gingipains in BBB disruption. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a marked reduction in the expression of tight junction (

SUBMITTER: Mieszkowska A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12751225 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature