Porphyromonas gingivalis Mediates Inflammasome Repression in Polymicrobial Cultures through a Novel Mechanism Involving Reduced Endocytosis

The interleukin (IL)-1β-processing inflammasome has recently been identified as a target for pathogenic evasion of the inflammatory response by a number of bacteria and viruses. We postulated that the periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis may suppress the inflammasome as a mechanism for its low immunogenicity and pathogenic synergy with other, more highly immunogenic periodontal bacteria. Our results show that P. gingivalis lacks signaling capability for the activation of the inflammasome in mouse macrophages. Furthermore, P. gingivalis can suppress inflammasome activation by another periodontal bacterium, Fusobacterium nucleatum. This repression affects IL-1β processing, as well as other inflammasome-mediated processes, including IL-18 processing and cell death, in both human and mouse macrophages. F. nucleatum activates IL-1β processing through the Nlrp3 inflammasome; however, P. gingivalis repression is not mediated through reduced levels of inflammasome components. P. gingivalis can repress Nlrp3 inflammasome activation by Escherichia coli, and by danger-associated molecular patterns and pattern-associated molecular patterns that mediate activation through endocytosis. However, P. gingivalis does not suppress Nlrp3 inflammasome activation by ATP or nigericin. This suggests that P. gingivalis may preferentially suppress endocytic pathways toward inflammasome activation. To directly test whether P. gingivalis infection affects endocytosis, we assessed the uptake of fluorescent particles in the presence or absence of P. gingivalis. Our results show that P. gingivalis limits both the number of cells taking up beads and the number of beads taken up for bead-positive cells. These results provide a novel mechanism of pathogen-mediated inflammasome inhibition through the suppression of endocytosis.     

Expression of peptidylarginine deiminase from Porphyromonas gingivalis in Escherichia coli: Enzyme purification and characterization

Porphyromonas gingivalis peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) catalyzes the deimination of peptidylarginine residues of various peptides to produce peptidylcitrulline and ammonia. P. gingivalis is associated with adult-onset periodontitis and cardiovascular disease, and its proliferation depends on secretion of PAD. We have expressed two recombinant forms of the P. gingivalis PAD in Escherichia coli, a truncated form with a 43-amino acid N-terminal deletion and the full-length form of PAD as predicted from the DNA sequence. Both forms contain a poly-His tag and Xpress epitope at the N-terminus to aid in detection and purification. The activities and stabilities of these two forms have been evaluated. PAD is cold sensitive; it aggregates within 30 min at 4 °C, and optimal storage conditions are at 25 °C in the presence of a reducing agent. PAD is not a metalloenzyme and does not need a cofactor for catalysis or stability. Multiple l-arginine analogs, various arginine-containing peptides, and free l-arginine were used to evaluate substrate specificity and determine kinetic parameters.     

Role of calcineurin in Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced myocardial cell hypertrophy and apoptosis

Summary Background and objective Periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) increased cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis whereas Actinobaeillus actinomycetemcomitans and Prevotella intermedia had no effects. The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of calcineurin signaling pathway in P.␣gingivalis-induced H9c2 myocardial cell hypertrophy and apoptosis. Methods DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation, cellular morphology, calcineurin protein, Bcl2-associated death promoter (Bad) and nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT)-3 protein products in cultured H9c2 myocardial cell were measured by agarose gel electrophoresis, DAPI, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting following P.␣gingivalis and/or pre-administration of CsA (calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporin A). Results P. gingivalis not only increased calcineurin protein, NFAT-3 protein products and cellular hypertrophy, but also increased DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation and Bad protein products in H9c2 cells. The increased cellular sizes, DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation, and Bad of H9c2 cells treated with P. gingivalis were all significantly reduced after pre-administration of CsA. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the activity of calcineurin signal pathway may be initiated by P. gingivalis and further lead to cell hypertrophy and death in culture H9c2 myocardial cells. Supported by the National Science Council, Taiwan     

Porphyromonas gingivalis Peptidoglycans Induce Excessive Activation of the Innate Immune System in Silkworm Larvae

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a pathogen that causes inflammation in human periodontal tissue, killed silkworm (Bombyx mori, Lepidoptera) larvae when injected into the blood (hemolymph). Silkworm lethality was not rescued by antibiotic treatment, and heat-killed bacteria were also lethal. Heat-killed bacteria of mutant P. gingivalis strains lacking virulence factors also killed silkworms. Silkworms died after injection of peptidoglycans purified from P. gingivalis (pPG), and pPG toxicity was blocked by treatment with mutanolysin, a peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme. pPG induced silkworm hemolymph melanization at the same dose as that required to kill the animal. pPG injection increased caspase activity in silkworm tissues. pPG-induced silkworm death was delayed by injecting melanization-inhibiting reagents (a serine protease inhibitor and 1-phenyl-2-thiourea), antioxidants (N-acetyl-l-cysteine, glutathione, and catalase), and a caspase inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CHO). Thus, pPG induces excessive activation of the innate immune response, which leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species and apoptotic cell death in the host tissue.     

Concentration of antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis is increased before the onset of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundThe periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis is hypothesized to be important in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) aetiology by inducing production of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA). We have shown that ACPA precede RA onset by years, and that anti-P. gingivalis antibody levels are elevated in RA patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether anti-P. gingivalis antibodies pre-date symptom onset and ACPA production.MethodsA case–control study (251 cases, 198 controls) was performed within the Biobank of Northern Sweden. Cases had donated blood samples (n = 422) before the onset of RA symptoms by 5.2 (6.2) years (median (interquartile range)). Blood was also collected from 192 RA patients following diagnosis. Antibodies against P. gingivalis virulence factor arginine gingipainB (RgpB), and a citrullinated peptide (CPP3) derived from the P. gingivalis peptidylarginine deiminase enzyme, were analysed by ELISA.ResultsAnti-RgpB IgG levels were significantly increased in pre-symptomatic individuals (mean ± SEM; 152.7 ± 14.8 AU/ml) and in RA patients (114.4 ± 16.9 AU/ml), compared with controls (p < 0.001). Anti-CPP3 antibodies were detected in 5 % of pre-symptomatic individuals and in 8 % of RA patients, with elevated levels in both subsets (4.33 ± 0.59 and 9.29 ± 1.81 AU/ml, respectively) compared with controls (p < 0.001). Anti-CPP3 antibodies followed the ACPA response, with increasing concentrations over time, whilst anti-RgpB antibodies were elevated and stable in the pre-symptomatic individuals with a trend towards lower levels after RA diagnosis.ConclusionsAnti-P. gingivalis antibody concentrations were significantly increased in RA patients compared with controls, and were detectable years before onset of symptoms of RA, supporting an aetiological role for P. gingivalis in the development of RA.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-016-1100-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Discrimination based on Gly and Arg/Ser at position 673 between dipeptidyl-peptidase (DPP) 7 and DPP11, widely distributed DPPs in pathogenic and environmental gram-negative bacteria

Porphyromonas gingivalis, an asaccharolytic gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium, expresses the novel Asp/Glu-specific dipeptidyl-peptidase (DPP) 11 (Ohara-Nemoto, Y. et al. (2011) J. Biol. Chem. 286, 38115–38127), which has been categorized as a member of the S46/DPP7 family that is preferential for hydrophobic residues at the P1 position. From that finding, 129 gene products constituting five clusters from the phylum Bacteroidetes have been newly annotated to either DPP7 or DPP11, whereas the remaining 135 members, mainly from the largest phylum Proteobacteria, have yet to be assigned. In this study, the substrate specificities of the five clusters and an unassigned group were determined with recombinant DPPs from typical species, i.e., P. gingivalis, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides vulgatus, and Shewanella putrefaciens. Consequently, clusters 1, 3, and 5 were found to be DPP7 with rather broad substrate specificity, and clusters 2 and 4 were DPP11. An unassigned S. putrefaciens DPP carrying Ser⁶⁷³ exhibited Asp/Glu-specificity more preferable to Glu, in contrast to the Asp preference of DPP11 with Arg⁶⁷³ from Bacteroidetes species. Mutagenesis experiments revealed that Arg⁶⁷³/Ser⁶⁷³ were indispensable for the Asp/Glu-specificity of DPP11, and that the broad specificity of DPP7 was mediated by Gly⁶⁷³. Taken together with the distribution of the two genes, all 264 members of the S46 family could be attributed to either DPP7 or DPP11 by an amino acid at position 673. A more compelling phylogenic tree based on the conserved C-terminal region suggested two gene duplication events in the phylum Bacteroidetes, one causing the development of DPP7 and DPP11 with altered substrate specificities, and the other producing an additional DPP7 in the genus Bacteroides.     

Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells

Anaerobic bacteria far outnumber aerobes in many human niches such as the gut, mouth, and vagina. Furthermore, anaerobic infections are common and frequently of indigenous origin. The ability of some anaerobic pathogens to invade human cells gives them adaptive measures to escape innate immunity as well as to modulate host cell behavior. However, ensuring that the anaerobic bacteria are live during experimental investigation of the events may pose challenges. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative anaerobe, is capable of invading a variety of eukaryotic non-phagocytic cells. This article outlines how to successfully culture and assess the ability of P. gingivalis to invade human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Two protocols were developed: one to measure bacteria that can successfully invade and survive within the host, and the other to visualize bacteria interacting with host cells. These techniques necessitate the use of an anaerobic chamber to supply P. gingivalis with an anaerobic environment for optimal growth.The first protocol is based on the antibiotic protection assay, which is largely used to study the invasion of host cells by bacteria. However, the antibiotic protection assay is limited; only intracellular bacteria that are culturable following antibiotic treatment and host cell lysis are measured. To assess all bacteria interacting with host cells, both live and dead, we developed a protocol that uses fluorescent microscopy to examine host-pathogen interaction. Bacteria are fluorescently labeled with 2'',7''-Bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF-AM) and used to infect eukaryotic cells under anaerobic conditions. Following fixing with paraformaldehyde and permeabilization with 0.2% Triton X-100, host cells are labeled with TRITC phalloidin and DAPI to label the cell cytoskeleton and nucleus, respectively. Multiple images taken at different focal points (Z-stack) are obtained for temporal-spatial visualization of bacteria. Methods used in this study can be applied to any cultivable anaerobe and any eukaryotic cell type.     

Analysis of immunostimulatory activity of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae conferred by Toll-like receptor 2

Bacterial fimbriae are an important pathogenic factor. It has been demonstrated that fimbrial protein encoded by fimA gene (FimA fimbriae) of Porphyromonas gingivalis not only contributes to the abilities of bacterial adhesion and invasion to host cells, but also strongly stimulates host innate immune responses. However, FimA fimbriae separated from P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 using a gentle procedure showed very weak proinflammatory activity compared with previous reports. Therefore, in the present study, biological characteristics of FimA fimbriae were further analyzed in terms of proinflammatory activity in macrophages. Macrophages differentiated from THP-1 cells were stimulated with native, heat-denatured, or either proteinase- or lipoprotein lipase-treated FimA fimbriae of P. gingivalis ATCC 33277. Stimulating activities of these FimA fimbriae were evaluated by TNF-α-inducing activity in the macrophages. To clarify the mode of action of FimA fimbriae, anti-Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 blocking antibody was added prior to stimulation. Weak stimulatory activity of native FimA fimbriae was enhanced by heat treatment and low-dose proteinase K treatment. Higher dose of proteinase K treatment abrogated this up-regulation. The activity of treated FimA fimbriae was suppressed by anti-TLR2 antibody, and more substantially by lipoprotein lipase treatment. These results suggest that lipoproteins or lipopeptides associated with FimA fimbriae could at least in part account for signaling via TLR2 and subsequent TNF-α production in macrophages.     

Glycosylation of the OMP85 homolog of Porphyromonas gingivalis and its involvement in biofilm formation

OMP85 is a highly conserved outer membrane protein in all Gram-negative bacteria. We studied an uncharacterized OMP85 homolog of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a primary periodontal pathogen forming subgingival plaque biofilms. Using an outer-loop peptide antibody specific for the OMP85 of P. gingivalis, loop-3 Ab, we found a difference in the mobility of OMP85 on SDS-PAGE gel between the P. gingivalis wild-type and the isogenic galE mutant, a deglycosylated strain, suggesting that OMP85 naturally exists in a glycosylated form. This was also supported by a shift in OMP85 PAGE mobility after chemical deglycosylation treatment. Further, loop-3 Ab cross-reacted with the galE mutant stronger than the wild-type strain; and could inhibit biofilm formation in the galE mutant more than in the wild-type strain. In conclusion, this is the first report providing the evidence of OMP85 glycosylation and the involvement of OMP85 in biofilm formation.     

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.     

The protective effect of Prunella vulgaris ethanol extract against vascular inflammation in TNF-α-stimulated human aortic smooth muscle cells

Atherosclerosis, which manifests as acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and peripheral arterial diseases, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall. Prunella vulgaris, a perennial herb with a worldwide distribution, has been used as a traditional medicine in inflammatory disease. Here, we investigated the effects of P. vulgaris ethanol extract on TNF-α-induced inflammatory responses in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). We found that P. vulgaris ethanol extract inhibited adhesion of monocyte/macrophage-like THP-1 cells to activated HASMCs. It also decreased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin and ROS, No production in TNF-α-induced HASMCs and reduced NF-kB activation. Furthermore, P. vulgaris extract suppressed TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). These results demonstrate that P. vulgaris possesses antiinflammatory properties and can regulate TNF-α-induced expression of adhesion molecules by inhibiting the p38 MAPK/ ERK signaling pathway. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(7): 352-357]     

Exosomes Secreted by Toxoplasma gondii-Infected L6 Cells: Their Effects on Host Cell Proliferation and Cell Cycle Changes

Toxoplasma gondii infection induces alteration of the host cell cycle and cell proliferation. These changes are not only seen in directly invaded host cells but also in neighboring cells. We tried to identify whether this alteration can be mediated by exosomes secreted by T. gondii-infected host cells. L6 cells, a rat myoblast cell line, and RH strain of T. gondii were selected for this study. L6 cells were infected with or without T. gondii to isolate exosomes. The cellular growth patterns were identified by cell counting with trypan blue under confocal microscopy, and cell cycle changes were investigated by flow cytometry. L6 cells infected with T. gondii showed decreased proliferation compared to uninfected L6 cells and revealed a tendency to stay at S or G2/M cell phase. The treatment of exosomes isolated from T. gondii-infected cells showed attenuation of cell proliferation and slight enhancement of S phase in L6 cells. The cell cycle alteration was not as obvious as reduction of the cell proliferation by the exosome treatment. These changes were transient and disappeared at 48 hr after the exosome treatment. Microarray analysis and web-based tools indicated that various exosomal miRNAs were crucial for the regulation of target genes related to cell proliferation. Collectively, our study demonstrated that the exosomes originating from T. gondii could change the host cell proliferation and alter the host cell cycle.     

Chromosomal mapping,differential origin and evolution of the S100 gene family

S100 proteins are calcium-binding proteins, which exist only in vertebrates and which constitute a large protein family. The origin and evolution of the S100 family in vertebrate lineages remain a challenge. Here, we examined the synteny conservation of mammalian S100A genes by analysing the sequence of available vertebrate S100 genes in databases. Five S100A gene members, unknown previously, were identified by chromosome mapping analysis. Mammalian S100A genes are duplicated and clustered on a single chromosome while two S100A gene clusters are found on separate chromosomes in teleost fish, suggesting that S100A genes existed in fish before the fish-specific genome duplication took place. During speciation, tandem gene duplication events within the cluster of S100A genes of a given chromosome have probably led to the multiple members of the S100A gene family. These duplicated genes have been retained in the genome either by neofunctionalisation and/or subfunctionalisation or have evolved into non-coding sequences. However in vertebrate genomes, other S100 genes are also present i.e. S100P, S100B, S100G and S100Z, which exist as single copy genes distributed on different chromosomes, suggesting that they could have evolved from an ancestor different to that of the S100A genes.     

S100 proteins interact with the N-terminal domain of MDM2

S100 proteins interact with the transactivation domain and the C-terminus of p53. Further, S100B has been shown to interact with MDM2, a central negative regulator of p53. Here, we show that S100B bound directly to the folded N-terminal domain of MDM2 (residues 2-125) by size exclusion chromatography and surface plasmon resonance experiments. This interaction with MDM2 (2-125) is a general feature of S100 proteins; S100A1, S100A2, S100A4 and S100A6 also interact with MDM2 (2-125). These interactions with S100 proteins do not result in a ternary complex with MDM2 (2-125) and p53. Instead, we observe the ability of a subset of S100 proteins to disrupt the extent of MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitylation in vitro.

Structured summary

MINT-7905256: MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) binds (MI:0407) to s100A6 (uniprotkb:P06703) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)MINT-7905063: MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) and s100A1 (uniprotkb:P23297) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7905376: s100A4 (uniprotkb:P26447) and MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) physically interact (MI:0915) by competition binding (MI:0405)MINT-7905130: s100A6 (uniprotkb:P06703) and MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7905207: s100A6 (uniprotkb:P06703) and p53 (uniprotkb:P04637) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7905043: s100B (uniprotkb:P04271) and MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7905196: p53 (uniprotkb:P04637) and s100A4 (uniprotkb:P26447) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7905358: p53 (uniprotkb:P04637) and s100A4 (uniprotkb:P26447) physically interact (MI:0915) by fluorescence polarization spectroscopy (MI:0053)MINT-7905220: MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) binds (MI:0407) to s100B (uniprotkb:P04271) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)MINT-7905104: s100A4 (uniprotkb:P26447) and MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7905229: MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) binds (MI:0407) to s100A1 (uniprotkb:P23297) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)MINT-7905317, MINT-7905162: s100B (uniprotkb:P04271) and p53 (uniprotkb:P04637) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7905238: MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) binds (MI:0407) to s100A2 (uniprotkb:P29034) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)MINT-7905174, MINT-7905308: s100A1 (uniprotkb:P23297) and p53 (uniprotkb:P04637) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7905247: MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) binds (MI:0407) to s100A4 (uniprotkb:P26447) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)MINT-7905090: s100A2 (uniprotkb:P29034) and MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7905142, MINT-7905326: MDM2 (uniprotkb:Q00987) and p53 (uniprotkb:P04637) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7905185, MINT-7905347: s100A2 (uniprotkb:P29034) and p53 (uniprotkb:P04637) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)     

A Mouse Model for Pathogen-induced Chronic Inflammation at Local and Systemic Sites

Chronic inflammation is a major driver of pathological tissue damage and a unifying characteristic of many chronic diseases in humans including neoplastic, autoimmune, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Emerging evidence implicates pathogen-induced chronic inflammation in the development and progression of chronic diseases with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Due to the complex and multifactorial etiology of chronic disease, designing experiments for proof of causality and the establishment of mechanistic links is nearly impossible in humans. An advantage of using animal models is that both genetic and environmental factors that may influence the course of a particular disease can be controlled. Thus, designing relevant animal models of infection represents a key step in identifying host and pathogen specific mechanisms that contribute to chronic inflammation.Here we describe a mouse model of pathogen-induced chronic inflammation at local and systemic sites following infection with the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium closely associated with human periodontal disease. Oral infection of specific-pathogen free mice induces a local inflammatory response resulting in destruction of tooth supporting alveolar bone, a hallmark of periodontal disease. In an established mouse model of atherosclerosis, infection with P. gingivalis accelerates inflammatory plaque deposition within the aortic sinus and innominate artery, accompanied by activation of the vascular endothelium, an increased immune cell infiltrate, and elevated expression of inflammatory mediators within lesions. We detail methodologies for the assessment of inflammation at local and systemic sites. The use of transgenic mice and defined bacterial mutants makes this model particularly suitable for identifying both host and microbial factors involved in the initiation, progression, and outcome of disease. Additionally, the model can be used to screen for novel therapeutic strategies, including vaccination and pharmacological intervention.