Prevotella intermedia interactions with human gingival epithelial cells

• Grant number: 08/11199-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2009
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Periodontology
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Henrique Rodrigues
• Grantee: Paulo Henrique Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Maria Regina Lorenzetti Simionato
• Associated scholarship(s): 09/06086-9 - Prevotella intermedia interactions with human gingival epithelial cells, BP.JP

Abstract

P. intermedia, a Gram-negative anaerobe, is associated with multiple oral diseases. In periodontitis, its numbers increase significantly and it has frequently been isolated from various forms of periodontal diseases. Epithelial cells are the major physical barrier in the gingival crevice and also function as sensors for the host immune-inflammatory system. Thus, the outcome of the interactions between P. intermedia and epithelial cells may have a significant role in the delicate equilibrium between host and microorganism; resulting in either a gingival healthy status or the establishment/progression of periodontal and other diseases. P. intermedia components can modulate the expression of several cytokines in host cells, which, ultimately, play a vital role in the healthy/disease status. We have previously demonstrated that P. intermedia can invade KB cells. We have determined that the invasion process requires expression of new proteins and cytoskeletal rearrangement. In addition, we have observed significant differences between P. intermedia strains in their invasive ability and believe that type C fimbriae may play an important role in the invasion process. However, specific molecular mechanisms such as the role/significance of the type C fimbriae of P. intermedia in pathogenesis cannot be fully elucidated since there are no genetic systems described for P. intermedia. Thus, the first goal of this proposed project is to establish a genetic system for P. intermedia and to use the system to construct a type C fimbria-deficient mutant (fimC-). This mutant will then be used to begin the characterization of specific P. intermedia effectors involved in the adherence/invasion process with human gingival epithelial cells. The apoptosis response of the epithelial cells challenged with P. intermedia and with the fimC- mutant will be determined. In addition, the inflammatory response of the epithelial cells in response to contact with P. intermedia and with the fimC- mutant will be investigated by assay of the cytokine response. Furthermore, isolated P. intermedia fimbriae will be used to further characterize the interactions between P. intermedia and epithelial cells. The ultimate goal of these proposed studies is to provide a greater understanding of the interactions of P. intermedia with oral epithelial cells. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BARBOSA, GRAZIELA MURTA; COLOMBO, ANDREA VIEIRA; RODRIGUES, PAULO HENRIQUE; LORENZETTI SIMIONATO, MARIA REGINA. Intraspecies Variability Affects Heterotypic Biofilms of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia: Evidences of Strain-Dependence Biofilm Modulation by Physical Contact and by Released Soluble Factors. PLoS One, v. 10, n. 9, SEP 25 2015. (08/11199-4)