[ODP-152] Proteolysis of PAI-1 in human endothelial cells by gingipains from Porphyromonas gingivalis
Objectives: The key pathogen associated with chronic periodontitis is Porphyromonas gingivalis, whose gingipains, cysteine proteinases, are key virulence factors of the disease. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is an important component of the coagulation system that downregulates fibrinolysis in the circulation. Reduced PAI-1 levels result in increased fibrinolysis and associated bleeding diathesis. We investigated the role of P. gingivalis infection on the production of PAI-1 by human endothelial cells.
Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in EBM-2 supplemented with growth factors and then used after six passages. HUVECs were stimulated with viable or lyophilized whole cells of the P. gingivalis ATCC 33277, W83 wild-type, or gingipain-null mutant KDP136.
Results: Incubation of HUVECs with viable or lyophilized whole cells of P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 or W83 led to decrease PAI-1 production. However, PAI-1 mRNA levels did not decrease in the cells infected with P. gingivalis. Furthermore, a decrease in PAI-1 production was not observed in HUVECs infected with P. gingivalis KDP136.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that P. gingivalis infection probably causes cleavage of PAI-1 produced by endothelial cells and may contribute to the associated bleeding diathesis in periodontal tissues.
Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in EBM-2 supplemented with growth factors and then used after six passages. HUVECs were stimulated with viable or lyophilized whole cells of the P. gingivalis ATCC 33277, W83 wild-type, or gingipain-null mutant KDP136.
Results: Incubation of HUVECs with viable or lyophilized whole cells of P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 or W83 led to decrease PAI-1 production. However, PAI-1 mRNA levels did not decrease in the cells infected with P. gingivalis. Furthermore, a decrease in PAI-1 production was not observed in HUVECs infected with P. gingivalis KDP136.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that P. gingivalis infection probably causes cleavage of PAI-1 produced by endothelial cells and may contribute to the associated bleeding diathesis in periodontal tissues.