Invasion of Aortic and Heart Endothelial Cells by Porphyromonas gingivalis

作者：Rajashri G. Deshpande, Mahfuz B. Khan, Caroline Attardo Genco · 发表于：Infection and Immunity · 年份：1998 · DOI：10.1128/iai.66.11.5337-5343.1998 · 被引用次数：391 · 研究领域：Oral microbiology and periodontitis research、Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management、Streptococcal Infections and Treatments

Invasion of host cells is believed to be an important strategy utilized by a number of pathogens, which affords them protection from the host immune system. The connective tissues of the periodontium are extremely well vascularized, which allows invading microorganisms, such as the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, to readily enter the bloodstream. However, the ability of P. gingivalis to actively invade endothelial cells has not been previously examined. In this study, we demonstrate that P. gingivalis can invade bovine and human endothelial cells as assessed by an antibiotic protection assay and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. P. gingivalis A7436 was demonstrated to adhere to and to invade fetal bovine heart endothelial cells (FBHEC), bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Invasion efficiencies of 0.1, 0.2, and 0. 3% were obtained with BAEC, HUVEC, and FBHEC, respectively. Invasion of FBHEC and BAEC by P. gingivalis A7436 assessed by electron microscopy revealed the formation of microvillus-like extensions around adherent bacteria followed by the engulfment of the pathogen within vacuoles. Invasion of BAEC by P. gingivalis A7436 was inhibited by cytochalasin D, nocodazole, staurosporine, protease inhibitors, and sodium azide, indicating that cytoskeletal rearrangements, protein phosphorylation, energy metabolism, and P. gingivalis proteases are essential for invasion. In contrast, addition o...