Porphyromonas gingivalis Infection Reduces Regulatory T Cells in Infected Atherosclerosis Patients

Abstract

Increasing evidence has shown periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.gingivalis) infection contributes to atherosclerosis (AS) progression. P.gingivalis fimbriae act as an important virulence factor in AS. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may play a crucial role in autoimmune response during this process. However, whether P.gingivalis infection is associated with Tregs dysregulation during AS is still unknown and the prevalence of different P.gingivalis FimA genotypes during this process is unclear. Here we analyzed the distribution of Tregs and in P.gingivalis-infected atherosclerotic patients to reveal the relationship between P.gingivalis infection and Tregs reduction/dysfunction and to elucidate their role in periodontitis-AS interaction. FimA genotype was also examined to determine the prevalence of fimbriae. Our results showed that P.gingivalis infection reduced Tregs in atherosclerotic patients compared with non-atherosclerotic patients and health controls. Concentration of TGF-β1, which plays an important role in the development of Tregs, also decreased in P.gingivalis infected patients. Furthermore, type II FimA seems to show higher prevalence than the other five detected types. The population of Tregs further decreased in patients with type II FimA compared with the other types. P.gingivlias FimA genotype II was the dominant type associated with decreased Treg population. These results indicate that P.gingivalis infection may be associated with Tregs dysregulation in AS; type II FimA may be a predominant genotype in this process.

Quantitative and functional analysis of CD69+ T regulatory lymphocytes in patients with periodontal disease

“…Accordingly, we have previously detected the presence of periodontal bacterial DNA in the serum and synovial fluid from patients with PD and rheumatoid arthritis (29). In addition, it has been recently reported that P. gingivalis infection is associated with reduced levels of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + Treg cells in the peripheral blood of patients with PD and atherosclerosis (30). However, the possible factor(s) accounting for the diminished frequency of CD69 + Treg cells in patients with inactive PD (compared to those with active disease) observed in this study is an interesting point to be explored in future studies.…”

Periodontitis and Cardiovascular Diseases. Consensus Report

“…[101]. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate the importance of the fimbriae of P. gingivalis to host cell entry and to promote atherothrombotic lesions in experimental models [138]. In vitro experiments have shown certain bacterial strains expressing P. gingivalis hemagglutinin A (HagA) have an increased capability to adhere and enter human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) [7].…”

Porphyromonas gingivalis: An Overview of Periodontopathic Pathogen below the Gum Line

“…Tregs may play a crucial role in autoimmune response during this process. However, whether P. gingivalis infection is associated with Tregs dysregulation during atherosclerosis is still unknown and the prevalence of different P. gingivalis FimA genotypes during this process remains unclear ( Yang et al, 2014 ).…”