Adherence of oral treponemes and their effect on morphological damage and detachment of epithelial cells in vitro

Abstract

The present study shows adherence of Treponema denticola L12D and Treponema vincentii RitzA to guinea pig ear epithelial cells in vitro. The number of adhering organisms was positively related with the treponemal concentration and contact time. Incubation of washed T. denticola L12D and T. vincentii RitzA organisms or their culture supernatants with the epithelial cells induced morphological damage and detachment of these cells. In addition, indications for inhibition of epithelial cell proliferation were found. The activity of the supernatants was dose dependent, heat sensitive, and sensitive to sulfhydryl-containing components, suggesting the presence of enzymatic activity that might be of importance in the pathogenicity of these oral treponemes.

Characteristics of hemolytic and hemagglutinating activities of Treponema denticola

“…In the last decade, various potential pathogenic mechanisms of T. denticola have been demonstrated. These include tissue-degrading enzymes (7,22) as well as adherence (4,18,20) and cytotoxic factors (20). T. dentieola can attach to epithelia!…”

“…T. dentieola can attach to epithelia! cells (18,20) and to modified hydroxyapatite surfaces (4). The nature of the binding components is still unknown.…”

Outer sheath associated proteins of the oral spirochete Treponema maltophilum

“…The postulated etiological role of oral treponemes is based on the presence of elevated numbers of these organisms in periodontal lesions [11]. Adhesion to and the interaction with other organisms in subgingival plaque may be an important step in colonization [10,14]. Molecular characterization of outer sheath proteins of representative oral treponemes is hence an important step to elucidate the role of these bacteria in the pathogenesis of periodontal infections.…”

Development of a gene transfer system in Treponema denticola by electroporation

“…Treponema denticola is a small obligate anaerobic spirochete frequently isolated from periodontal pockets and is closely associated with periodontal diseases (23). This organism exhibits a variety of potential virulence properties: coaggregation and synergy with other periodontal pathogenic bacteria (5); motility which enables it to penetrate and invade tissues (15); the ability to attach to host cells and tissues; cytotoxicity for epithelial cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells (2,14,27); as well as expressing factors which interfere with neutrophile and lymphocyte functions (4,21,22). In addition, T. denticola also possesses a number of enzymes which have proteolytic, keratinolytic, fibrolytic and coUagenolytic activities (1,10,13,16,25).…”