Effect of Porphyromonas gingivalis on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Numerous studies have suggested an association between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis. Porphyromonas gingivalis has been thought to be one of triggers of atherosclerosis because P. gingivalis DNA is detected in atheromatous plaques. In this study, we assessed the effect of P. gingivalis on endothelial cells to elucidate the mechanisms in P. gingivalis-accelerated atherosclerosis. Our results showed that P. gingivalis infection significantly increased the production of interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) compared with cells without bacteria. In addition, P. gingivalis challenge upregulated the expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin in HUVEC at both the mRNA and protein levels. These results suggest that P. gingivalis stimulation induces increases in inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells that in turn lead to the development of atheromatous plaques.