Porphyromonas Gingivalis and Gum Disease
Introduction and History
By Babiker Higazi
P. gingivalis can cause immense damage as it infects the gums and surrounding supports structures of our teeth. When P. gingivalis exits the oral cavity and travels to other organ systems, its potential to cause major health complications increases dramatically. P. gingivalis can enter our blood vasculature during daily activities such as chewing food and brushing our teeth, by traveling through open ulcers that exist on epithelial cells in our oral cavity [29]. Once in the circulatory system, P. gingivalis can accumulate and survive in tissues outside of the oral cavity, such as the plaque tissues of our blood vessels [30]. At the cellular level, P. gingivalis has been found to survive a viable state when cultured in pancreatic and dendritic cells [31,32]. P. gingivalis's ability to survive beyond its natural habitat in the oral cavity allows it to impact a wide range of systemic conditions. P. gingivalis has been well-documented to have major impacts on neurological, cardiovascular, and even oncological conditions [33].
As intense scientific research and advancements in medicine prolong expected life expectancy, Alzheimer's disease has become one of the most feared conditions across the globe. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is known for its major symptoms of causing mild memory loss and reduced ability to respond to the environment [34]. In 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer's disease, and this is projected to grow to 14 million by the year 2060 [34]. In a nationwide retrospective study conducted across the United States, it was found that individuals suffering from chronic periodontitis are at a significantly greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease [35]. This relationship was found across various age groups, which was key since the risk for periodontal disease and Alzheimer's disease both increase with age [35]. There are two current models for the link between these conditions, one based on an inflammation model and the other based on P. gingivalis virulence factors [33].
In the inflammatory model, it is hypothesized that in extreme cases of periodontitis, proinflammatory cytokines can enter the systemic circulatory system [36]. These proinflammatory molecules are hypothesized to reach the central nervous system and increase the production of cerebral cytokines [36]. Elevated cytokine levels are known to exacerbate the neuroinflammatory response, which leads to neuron death and the progression of dementia diseases. On the other hand, the P. gingivalis model is based on the bacterium's release of LPS [37]. LPS is a critical component of the cell membrane of gram-negative bacteria. It establishes selective permeability and maintains structural integrity. [38] The injection of LPS of P. gingivalis in mice led to significantly increased Cathepsin B expression [39]. Cathepsin B is a lysosomal protease enzyme that plays a role in forming the alpha-beta plaque associated with Alzheimer's disease [39]. After injection, several of these mice also demonstrated AD-like symptoms [39]. This evidence provides a key link between the P. gingivalis virulence factors and the onset of AD. Furthering this hypothesis was the finding that alpha-beta peptide was found in macrophages of P. gingivalis infected mice [40]. This is a key finding, considering how P. gingivalis manipulates the immune system to use macrophages as bacteria transporters rather than bacteria killers [22]. The finding of Cathepsin B in macrophages supports these previous findings. Also, alpha-beta particles being present in macrophages means a potential peripheral source for alpha-beta peptide production, which is most often associated with the amyloid precursor protein found in the brain and other tissues [40]. This bacterial model presents how virulence factors produced for P. gingivalis pathogenesis can have a significant impact on escalating systemic CNS diseases.
P. gingivalis can cause a plethora of issues in the cardiovascular system. One example is when P. gingivalis travels through the bloodstream and accumulates in the plaque tissues of our blood vessels, this causes blood flow to face increased resistance [30]. This increased resistance has a similar impact to vasoconstriction of the blood vessels. Therefore, it makes sense that patients diagnosed with periodontitis (from moderate to severe cases) have an increased likelihood of developing hypertension, or high systolic blood pressure [41]. This association is further supported by studies conducted with mice that have hypertensive responses to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a peptide responsible for raising blood pressure in the circulatory system. When these mice were injected with an intraperitoneal injection of P. gingivalis, their response to angiotensin II was exacerbated. Although it is suspected that the immune system and inflammatory response are responsible for the increased blood pressure, hypertension is the summation of many molecular signals and pathways [33]. This impact of P. gingivalis is especially concerning for the Black American community. Periodontitis is more prevalent in individuals living in poverty, and Black Americans currently have the highest poverty rate in the United States [1]. Non-Hispanic Black Americans also suffer from the largest death rates from heart disease. Although these death rates are largely a result of massive health disparities in the United States, it does not change the fact that Black Americans afflicted with poverty are particularly prone to cardiovascular diseases stemming from periodontitis [43].
Finally, P. gingivalis even plays a role in the progression of one of the most aggressive forms of cancer: esopheageal cancer [33]. One study found that the presence of peridontal disease was positvely correlated with risk for esophageal cancer [33, 44]. This same study found that patients with esophageal cancer and gum disease simoultenously had reduced rates of survival [44]. A likely mechanism behind this relationship is rooted a P. gingivalis dehydrogenation reaction [44]. P. gingivalis is capable of dehydrogenating ethanol into acetylaldehyde [33]. Acetyldehyde is a carcnionegn, meaning is capable of causing DNA damage that can lead to cancerous cells [33,45].
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Biofilm Formation and Intracellular Invasion
P. gingivalis, like many bacteria in the oral cavity, relies on the formation of biofilm for its virulence. The oral cavity is composed of a wide range of substrates, including soft tissue, enamel, and even implanted materials. P. gingivalis has developed an intricate mechanism for biofilm formation, allowing it to adhere to a diverse range of materials. The bacterium expresses two types of fimbriae, which are proteinaceous appendages anchored to the outer membrane of bacteria [3]. One of these fimbriae is long and composed of FimA protein subunits [3]. These fimbriae assist P. gingivalis in its initial attachment to host cells [4]. After associating with the host cell, P. gingivalis coats the surrounding area with capsular polysaccharides [5]. The coating creates a barrier between P. gingivalis and other surface components, such as proteins and lipopolysaccharides [4].
P. gingivalis biofilms tend to be mixed, meaning they also contain other bacterial species. Thus, P. gingivalis has adapted to use quorum sensing as a tool for biofilm formation [5]. Specifically, the LuxS/Autoinducer-2 system allows P. gingivalis to communicate with neighboring species [6]. This communication is essential, as it allows P. gingivalis to know when it has reached its critical mass, along with neighboring species. At this point, the mixed bacteria coordinate their extracellular matrix formation, dramatically increasing the likelihood of successful biofilm formation. P. gingivalis interactions with neighbors are also beneficial from a nutritional standpoint. Another major oral bacterium, T. denticola, often occupies the same areas as P. gingivalis. P. gingivalis secretes isobutyric acid, which enhances the growth of T. denticola [7]. Meanwhile, T. denticola produces succinate, which enhances the growth of P. gingivalis [7]. These interactions may explain why P. gingivalis and T. denticola show enhanced biofilm formation when cultured together [8].
The biofilm mechanisms enable P. gingivalis to thrive in subgingival dental plaque. However, this bacterium can also be found in other periodontal sites, such as the epithelial gingival cells of our periodontal tissue [9]. Gingival cells are an important component of our innate immune system, acting as a barrier to prevent bacterial invasion of the periodontium [10]. Despite this, P. gingivalis has been found to penetrate this barrier and invade the deeper tissue layers of the periodontium [9]. In these layers, P. gingivalis faces less pressure from immune defenses, allowing it to proliferate, multiply, and spread into adjacent tissues [11].
The intracellular invasion process of P. gingivalis consists of four steps: adhesion, entry, intracellular trafficking, and exit [12]. First, P. gingivalis uses its FimA fimbriae to attach to the alpha-5-beta-1 integrin on the surface of gingival cells [13]. It then exploits the cellular endocytosis pathways used by other molecules to enter the cell [9]. Once inside the host cell, P. gingivalis disrupts essential cellular functions such as proliferation and cellular migration. After causing severe damage to the function of the gingival cells, P. gingivalis may exit the cell via various exocytotic pathways. Some of these pathways lead to the bacterium being sorted into lytic compartments, such as lysosomes and autolysosomes [14]. Others allow P. gingivalis to enter a recycling pathway, where functional proteins and lipids from the bacteria are utilized by the gingival cells [14].
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Sabotaging the Immune System
Invasion of bacteria into the periodontal pockets is not the only pathway that causes periodontal disease. P. gingivalis, once in the host cell, causes an inflammatory response. However, in deeper layers of the periodontal tissues, these inflammatory responses aren’t as great as those at the epithelial surface [15]. Periodontal diseases show that inflammation does occur at these deeper tissues. This is because P. gingivalis is capable of releasing large amounts of endovesicles that often have endotoxins, which further promote an immune response separate from that elicited by the bacterial infection [16]. The immune response to the bacterial infection and the presence of endotoxins lead to a joint immune response to the presence of P. gingivalis.
While our immune system is typically sought to protect our bodies from harm, P. gingivalis has developed a survival mechanism that promotes inflammation for its own survival.
Complement component 5 is a protein that is important for the complement cascade system of our immune response [17]. It is also the first part of the membrane attack complex, a group of proteins that form a pore-like structure in pathogens [18]. This pore formation severely disrupts the membrane, causing quick cell lysis and death [18]. In a mouse model deficient in C5a, a peptide fragment of the larger C5 protein, P. gingivalis failed to colonize the periodontium [19]. Further, in mice treated with a C5a antagonist, the development of periodontitis was inhibited [20]. In 2014, it was discovered how P. gingivalis uses the C5 protein of our complement immune response to further infect host cells [21]. P. gingivalis is able to associate with macrophages [21]. When the C5 protein is synthesized for the membrane attack complex, P. gingivalis attacks the protein to form C5a and C5b fragments [21]. This increases the presence of C5a fragments, which bind to the C5a receptors of macrophages, otherwise known as white blood cells. Binding to the C5a receptor, under normal circumstances, triggers a sequence of intracellular signaling events that allow it to interact with toll-like receptor 4, or TLR4 [21]. TLR4 is a key protein that aids in the recognition of pathogens within the cellular environment and induces the cell to kill them [22]. With P. gingivalis causing a dramatic increase in the concentration of C5a, the communication between the C5a receptor and TLR4 protein is severely impaired [22].
Before P. gingivalis invasion of the cell, TLR proteins typically notify the cells of bacterial presence, and the C5 protein plays an important role in decimating the bacteria [21, 22]. In a manipulation of signaling pathways, P. gingivalis flips the script to use C5 protein to make the TLR system ineffective. Now, macrophages that were meant to eliminate P. gingivalis from the periodontal pockets are associated with the bacterium. As they travel across the tissues, these macrophages may actually spread P. gingivalis to neighboring sites, increasing the virulence of the bacterium. With such function, P. gingivalis is able to use our body's defense mechanisms to increase its spread around teeth and their supporting structures. This is not all bad news, however, as this C5a signaling system opens the door for the development of novel antibiotics [21].
Stress and Loose Teeth
The central nervous system and the oral cavity are in very close proximity, yet there are few studies relating neuroscience phenomena to dental health. However, in 2017, actress Demi Moore made the claim on The Tonight Show that she lost two of her front teeth due to stress, linking these seemingly distant fields. Although the specifics of Moore’s case are unknown, her claim poses an interesting question: what is the link between stress and tooth loss? One potential explanation may be the link between cortisol and P. gingivalis [23].
Periodontal disease is a leading contributor to loose teeth and even tooth loss in adults, with P. gingivalis as the main cause [24]. Once P. gingivalis enters and proliferates in the periodontal pocket, it is exposed to gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). GCF is an inflammatory secretion that is produced when the tissues surrounding the periodontal pocket become inflamed [25]. It is composed of anti-inflammatory elements, products of tissue breakdown, and antibodies against the invading bacteria [25]. GCF flows in and out of the gingival pocket in a small stream, transporting only a few microliters every hour [25]. GCF has been studied for its potential diagnostic purposes; Periodontal pathogens like P. gingivalis produce broad-spectrum neutral proteinases that cleave a wide range of proteins [25]. These proteins can be detected in GCF and provide healthcare providers with insight into bacterial infections. However, one study found that GCF carries cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone released by the adrenal glands [26]. It is primarily involved in the stress response, which is activated by the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis that travels from the top of the brainstem to our kidneys.
P. gingivalis that have invaded the periodontal pockets are constantly exposed to GCF. During times of stress, when the adrenal glands release a surge of cortisol, the concentration of cortisol in the GCF fluid increases dramatically [26]. A 2014 study found that exposure to P. gingivalis increases the growth of the bacteria in a dose-dependent manner [27]. The concentrations used to promote this growth varied and were within the range of cortisol concentrations found in saliva [27]. This finding indicates that during times of stress, cortisol further increases the population of P. gingivalis found in periodontal pockets. Although it is well documented that stress levels can increase the progression of periodontal disease and make treatment options less effective, the mechanisms behind this were poorly characterized [28]. This interaction between P. gingivalis and stress may, at least partially, explain this phenomenon in dentistry. While it is unclear whether P. gingivalis was responsible for Moore's tooth loss, the relationship between P. gingivalis and cortisol will certainly impact the way periodontists approach bacterial infection treatment.
Alzheimer's and Other Systemic Disease
P. gingivalis can cause immense damage as it infects the gums and surrounding supports structures of our teeth. When P. gingivalis exits the oral cavity and travels to other organ systems, its potential to cause major health complications increases dramatically. P. gingivalis can enter our blood vasculature during daily activities such as chewing food and brushing our teeth, by traveling through open ulcers that exist on epithelial cells in our oral cavity [29]. Once in the circulatory system, P. gingivalis can accumulate and survive in tissues outside of the oral cavity, such as the plaque tissues of our blood vessels [30]. At the cellular level, P. gingivalis has been found to survive a viable state when cultured in pancreatic and dendritic cells [31,32]. P. gingivalis's ability to survive beyond its natural habitat in the oral cavity allows it to impact a wide range of systemic conditions. P. gingivalis has been well-documented to have major impacts on neurological, cardiovascular, and even oncological conditions [33].
As intense scientific research and advancements in medicine prolong expected life expectancy, Alzheimer's disease has become one of the most feared conditions across the globe. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is known for its major symptoms of causing mild memory loss and reduced ability to respond to the environment [34]. In 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer's disease, and this is projected to grow to 14 million by the year 2060 [34]. In a nationwide retrospective study conducted across the United States, it was found that individuals suffering from chronic periodontitis are at a significantly greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease [35]. This relationship was found across various age groups, which was key since the risk for periodontal disease and Alzheimer's disease both increase with age [35]. There are two current models for the link between these conditions, one based on an inflammation model and the other based on P. gingivalis virulence factors [33].
In the inflammatory model, it is hypothesized that in extreme cases of periodontitis, proinflammatory cytokines can enter the systemic circulatory system [36]. These proinflammatory molecules are hypothesized to reach the central nervous system and increase the production of cerebral cytokines [36]. Elevated cytokine levels are known to exacerbate the neuroinflammatory response, which leads to neuron death and the progression of dementia diseases. On the other hand, the P. gingivalis model is based on the bacterium's release of LPS [37]. LPS is a critical component of the cell membrane of gram-negative bacteria. It establishes selective permeability and maintains structural integrity. [38] The injection of LPS of P. gingivalis in mice led to significantly increased Cathepsin B expression [39]. Cathepsin B is a lysosomal protease enzyme that plays a role in forming the alpha-beta plaque associated with Alzheimer's disease [39]. After injection, several of these mice also demonstrated AD-like symptoms [39]. This evidence provides a key link between the P. gingivalis virulence factors and the onset of AD. Furthering this hypothesis was the finding that alpha-beta peptide was found in macrophages of P. gingivalis infected mice [40]. This is a key finding, considering how P. gingivalis manipulates the immune system to use macrophages as bacteria transporters rather than bacteria killers [22]. The finding of Cathepsin B in macrophages supports these previous findings. Also, alpha-beta particles being present in macrophages means a potential peripheral source for alpha-beta peptide production, which is most often associated with the amyloid precursor protein found in the brain and other tissues [40]. This bacterial model presents how virulence factors produced for P. gingivalis pathogenesis can have a significant impact on escalating systemic CNS diseases.
P. gingivalis can cause a plethora of issues in the cardiovascular system. One example is when P. gingivalis travels through the bloodstream and accumulates in the plaque tissues of our blood vessels, this causes blood flow to face increased resistance [30]. This increased resistance has a similar impact to vasoconstriction of the blood vessels. Therefore, it makes sense that patients diagnosed with periodontitis (from moderate to severe cases) have an increased likelihood of developing hypertension, or high systolic blood pressure [41]. This association is further supported by studies conducted with mice that have hypertensive responses to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a peptide responsible for raising blood pressure in the circulatory system. When these mice were injected with an intraperitoneal injection of P. gingivalis, their response to angiotensin II was exacerbated. Although it is suspected that the immune system and inflammatory response are responsible for increased blood pressure, hypertension is the summation of many molecular signals and pathways [33]. This impact of P. gingivalis is especially concerning for the Black American community. Periodontitis is more prevalent in individuals living in poverty, and Black Americans currently have the highest poverty rate in the United States [1]. Non-Hispanic Black Americans also suffer from the largest death rates from heart disease. Although these death rates are largely a result of massive health disparities in the United States, it does not change the fact that Black Americans afflicted with poverty are particularly prone to cardiovascular diseases stemming from periodontitis [43].
Finally, P. gingivalis even plays a role in the progression of one of the most aggressive forms of cancer: esophageal cancer [33]. One study found that the presence of periodontal disease was positively correlated with risk for esophageal cancer [33, 44]. This same study found that patients with esophageal cancer and gum disease simultaneously had reduced rates of survival [44]. A likely mechanism behind this relationship is rooted in a P. gingivalis dehydrogenation reaction [44]. P. gingivalis is capable of dehydrogenating ethanol into acetaldehyde [33]. Acetaldehyde is a carcinogen, meaning is capable of causing DNA damage that can lead to cancerous cells [33,45].
Conclusion
References
Authored for BIOL 238 Microbiology, taught by Joan Slonczewski, 2023, Kenyon College
