Perturbation and exploitation of host cell cytoskeleton by periodontal pathogens

Some periodontal pathogens disrupt epithelial barriers and cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix, which affects the cytoskeleton. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans exploit the cytoskeleton during their uptake by epithelial cells. Treponema denticola perturbs actin and actin-regulating pathways in host cells. Cytoskeletal dysfunction due to pathogenic bacteria may impair physiologic remodeling and wound repair in the periodontium.