Periodontitis-activated monocytes/macrophages cause aortic inflammation.

ABSTRACT: A relationship between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis has been suggested by epidemiological studies. Ligature-induced experimental periodontitis is an adequate model for clinical periodontitis, which starts from plaque accumulation, followed by inflammation in the periodontal tissue. Here we have demonstrated using a ligature-induced periodontitis model that periodontitis activates monocytes/macrophages, which subsequently circulate in the blood and adhere to vascular endothelial cells without altering the serum TNF-? concentration. Adherent monocytes/macrophages induced NF-?B activation and VCAM-1 expression in the endothelium and increased the expression of the TNF-? signaling cascade in the aorta. Peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells from rats with experimental periodontitis showed enhanced adhesion and increased NF-?B/VCAM-1 in cultured vascular endothelial cells. Our results suggest that periodontitis triggers the initial pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, inflammation of the vasculature, through activating monocytes/macrophages.

SUBMITTER: Miyajima S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4044620 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature