Porphyromonas-like Gram-negative rods in naturally occurring periodontitis in dogs

Abstract A total of 259 Gram-negative Porphyromonas -like rods isolated from subgingival plaque samples of 16 family-owned dogs with naturally occurring periodontitis were characterized phenotypically by biochemical reactions, metabolic end products and enzymatic activities (API-ZYM^TM, Rosco^TM). Four distinct groups were found. Group A isolates (63) were asaccharolytic, lipase negative, trypsin positive and produced phenylacetic acid (PAA) from peptone-yeast extract glucose broth. Unlike P. gingivalis strains they were catalase positive. Group B isolates (42) differed from those of group A by a positive lipase reaction and from those of group D by failing to ferment sugars. Group C isolates (88) were asaccharolytic and did not produce PAA. They were α-fucosidase, N -acetyl- β -glucosaminidase (β-NAG) and trypsin negative, resembling P. endodontalis , but unlike human isolates, they were catalase positive. Subgroup C.1 isolates (6) differed from those of parent group C by producing minor amounts of PAA, and subgroup C.2 isolates (12) were β-NAG positive. Group D isolates (46) were weakly fermentative, lipase, catalase and trypsin positive, and produced PAA. They resembled the B. (P.) salivosus type strain which, in our hands, fermented weakly glucose, lactose and mannose. Two isolates could not be assigned to any of the previous groups.     

Molecular cloning and expression of a major surface protein (the 75-kDa protein) of Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis in Escherichia coli

A major immunodominant surface protein (the 75-kDa protein) of Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis 381 has been purified and its amino-terminal amino acid sequence has been determined. Using oligonucleotide probes corresponding to the sequence, we identified a recombinant plasmid clone carrying a single 4.2-kb BamHI fragment from pUC19 libraries of P. gingivalis. The BamHI fragment transferred to the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase/promoter expression vector system produced a slightly larger (77-kDa) protein, a precursor form, immunoreactive to the antibody against the 75-kDa protein, suggesting that the cloned DNA fragment probably carried an entire gene for the 75-kDa protein. Genomic Southern analysis revealed a single copy of the 75-kDa protein gene per genome among all P. gingivalis strains tested, and that no homologous genes are present in other black-pigmented Bacteroides species. These observations suggest that the 75-kDa protein gene may be useful as a specific DNA probe to classify or to detect this organism.     

Designing an immunoinformatic vaccine for peri-implantitis using a structural biology approach

ObjectivesPeri-implantitis is a destructive inflammatory process that affects the soft and hard tissues around dental implants. porphyromonas gingivalis, an anaerobic gram-negative bacterium, appears to be the main culprit. Since there is no efficient and specific vaccine to treat peri-implantitis, the goal of our research has been to develop a multi-epitope vaccination utilizing an immunoinformatics approach that targeted P. gingivalis type I fim A.Materials and methodsP. gingivalis peptides 6JKZ and 6KMF are suitable for vaccine development. B- and T-cell epitopes from 6KMF and 6JKZ were detected and evaluated based on critical factors to produce a multi-epitope vaccine construct. It was assessed based on allergenicity, antigenicity, stability. The vaccine's dual major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I and MHC-II) binding epitopes allowed it to reach a larger population. P. gingivalis fimbriae induce immune subversion through TLR -CXCR4 receptor complex pathway. The ClusPro 2.0 server was used to do the molecular docking using TLR2 - CXCR4 and vaccine epitopes as receptor and ligand respectively.ResultsThe designed vaccine was non-allergenic and had a high antigenicity, solubility, and stability. The 3D structure of the vaccine revealed strong interaction with CXCR4(TLR2) using molecular docking. The vaccine-CXCR4 interface was more consistent, possibly because the vaccination has a higher affinity for the CXCR4-TLR2 complex.ConclusionThis study details the vaccine's distinct and sustained interaction with the CXCR4(TLR2) immunological receptor and its consistent and effective utterance in the bacterial system. As a result, our vaccine formulation will evoke a significant memory response and induce an adaptive immune response against P. gingivalis.     

牙龈卟啉单胞菌HA2基因和白细胞介素IL-15基因重组质粒的构建

构建抗牙龈卟啉单胞菌的牙周炎基因疫苗p VAX1-HA2、pVAX1-HA2/IL-15,体外检测其在293T细胞的表达。以HA2基因(牙龈卟啉单胞菌牙龈素—血凝素基因编码区的核心功能区)为目的基因与IL-15基因为免疫佐剂构建真核表达质粒,用Lip2000介导瞬时转染293T细胞,RT-PCR检测目的基因mRNA水平及酶联免疫吸附试验检测IL-15蛋白表达水平。重组质粒p VAX1-HA2、pVAX1-HA2/IL-15经酶切及DNA测序鉴定构建正确,转染的293T细胞能够检测到目的基因的表达,也可以检测到IL-15蛋白的表达。说明我们成功构建了真核共表达质粒pVAX1-HA2和p VAX1-HA2/IL-15,为下一步研制抗牙龈卟啉单胞菌DNA疫苗奠定了基础。     

牙龈卟啉单胞菌感染对慢性牙周炎患者牙周指标、NLRP-3炎性小体通路和Th17/Treg细胞平衡的影响

摘要 目的：探讨牙龈卟啉单胞菌（PG）感染对慢性牙周炎（CP）患者牙周指标、Nod样受体蛋白-3（NLRP-3）炎性小体通路和辅助性T细胞17（Th17）/调节性T细胞（Treg）平衡的影响。方法：选择2018年6月至2021年11月在本院进行拔牙治疗的慢性牙周炎患者106例为CP组,根据是否感染PG分为感染组和未感染组;另选择因阻生齿、错位牙在本院进行治疗的牙周健康患者63例为对照组。记录所有对象的探诊深度（PD）、菌斑指数（PLI）、出血指数（BI）、附着丧失（AL）,采用聚合酶链式反应（PCR）技术检测PG感染率,采用RT-PCR技术检测牙周膜组织中NLRP-3 mRNA,接头蛋白凋亡相关斑点样蛋白（ASC） mRNA、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸酶-1（Caspase-1） mRNA的表达量,采用FACSCalibur流式细胞仪检测外周血Th17、Terg 水平并计算Th17/Treg,比较两组各检测指标水平。结果：对照组PG感染阳性率为17.46%,低于CP组的79.25%,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。感染组PD、PLI、BI、AL水平均高于非感染组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。感染组NLRP-3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达量均高于非感染组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。感染组外周血Th17细胞、Th17/Treg水平高于非感染组,Treg水平低于非感染组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：CP患者多数存在PG感染,PG感染对患者的牙周健康、炎症及免疫有明显的影响。     

亚甲基蓝/光化学法辅助治疗慢性牙周炎对牙龈卟啉单胞菌的影响

目的研究亚甲基蓝/光化学法辅助治疗慢性牙周炎对牙龈卟啉单胞菌(Porphyromonas gingivalis,Pg)检出率的变化。方法经伦理委员会同意后,本研究拟筛选出45例慢性牙周炎患者(每位患者经过详细牙周检查及X线检查后确认为牙周炎,有4个以上≥5 mm的牙周袋并分布在2个以上口腔区域),随机分3组:其中A组在SRP之后接受1次PERIOWAVE光化学治疗,B组在SRP后接受1次PERIOWAVE治疗以及在6周后再一次接受光化学治疗,而SRP组仅接受SRP治疗,各组患者取治疗前后相同4个位点龈下菌斑,聚合酶链式反应(Poly-merase chain reaction,PCR)检测Pg,观察Pg菌的检出率,采用卡方检验,并计算χ2值。结果 SRP组、A组、B组3组各组治疗后均较治疗前检出率降低(P<0.001),A组与SRP组治疗后比较差异无统计学意义[A组:40%(24/60),SRP组:45%(27/60),χ2=1.4815,P>0.05],B组与SRP治疗后比较检出率降低[SRP组:45%(27/60),B组:20%(12/60)χ2=8.547,P<0.01];B组与A组治疗后比较检出率降低[A组:40%(24/60),B组:20%(12/60),χ2=5.7143,P<0.05]。结论亚甲基蓝/光化学法辅助治疗慢性牙周炎后牙龈卟啉单胞菌的检出率较治疗前降低;结合临床试验结果,尚可认为2次激光疗效较1次激光好。     

Specific In Situ Visualization of Plasma Cells Producing Antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis in Gingival Radicular Cyst: Application of the Enzyme-Labeled Antigen Method

The enzyme-labeled antigen method was applied to visualize plasma cells producing antibodies to Porphyromonas gingivalis, flora of the human oral cavity. Antibodies to P. gingivalis have reportedly been detected in sera of patients with periodontitis. Biotinylated bacterial antigens, Ag53, and four gingipain domains (Arg-pro, Arg-hgp, Lys-pro, and Lys-hgp) were prepared by the cell-free protein synthesis system using the wheat germ extract. In paraformaldehyde-fixed frozen sections of rat lymph nodes experimentally immunized with Ag53-positive and Ag53-negative P. gingivalis, plasma cells were labeled with biotinylated Arg-hgp and Lys-hgp. Antibodies to Ag53 were detected only in the nodes immunized with Ag53-positive bacteria. In two of eight lesions of gingival radicular cyst with inflammatory infiltration, CD138-positive plasma cells in frozen sections were signalized for Arg-hgp and Lys-hgp. An absorption study using unlabeled antigens confirmed the specificity of staining. The AlphaScreen method identified the same-type antibodies in tissue extracts but not in sera. Antibodies to Ag53, Arg-pro, and Lys-pro were undetectable. In two cases, serum antibodies to Arg-hgp and Lys-hgp were AlphaScreen positive, whereas plasma cells were scarcely observed within the lesions. These findings indicate the validity of the enzyme-labeled antigen method. This is the very first application of this novel histochemical technique to human clinical samples.     

Research on the roles of genes coding ATP-binding cassette transporters in Porphyromonas gingivalis pathogenicity

Porphyromonas gingivalis, as a major pathogen of periodontitis, could rapidly adhere to and invade host gingival epithelial cells (GECs) for the induction of infection. One ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene was found to be upregulated during this infection process, however, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we systemically investigated the messenger RNA level changes of all ABC transporter family genes in P. gingivalis while being internalized within GECs by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We identified that two ABC transporter genes, PG_RS04465 (PG1010) and PG_RS07320 (PG1665), were significantly increased in P. gingivalis after coculturing with GECs. Mutant strains with knockout (KO) of these two genes were generated by homogenous recombination. PG_RS04465 and PG_RS07320 KO mutants showed no change in the growth of bacteria per se. Knockdown of PG_RS07320, but not PG_RS04465, caused decreased endotoxin level in the bacteria. In contrast, both mutant strains showed decreased Arg- and Lys-gingipains activities, with significantly reduced adhesion and invasion capabilities. Secreted interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 levels in GECs cocultured with PG_RS04465 or PG_RS07320 KO mutants were also decreased, whereas, only the cells cocultured with PG_RS07320 KO mutants showed significant decrease. In addition, virulence study using mouse revealed that both KO mutant strains infection caused less mouse death than wild-type strains, showing reduced virulence of two KO strains. These results indicated that ABC transporter genes PG_RS04465 and PG_RS07320 are positive regulators of the virulence of P. gingivalis.