Endothelial cell response to Fusobacterium nucleatum

RT Mendes, D Nguyen, D Stephens…�- Infection and�…, 2016 - Am Soc Microbiol
RT Mendes, D Nguyen, D Stephens, F Pamuk, D Fernandes, TE Van Dyke, A Kantarci
Infection and Immunity, 2016Am Soc Microbiol
Vascular response is an essential aspect of an effective immune response to periodontal
disease pathogens, as new blood vessel formation contributes to wound healing and
inflammation. Gaining a greater understanding of the factors that affect vascular response
may then contribute to future breakthroughs in dental medicine. In this study, we have
characterized the endothelial cell response to the common bacterium Fusobacterium
nucleatum, an important bridging species that facilitates the activity of late colonizers of the�…
Abstract
Vascular response is an essential aspect of an effective immune response to periodontal disease pathogens, as new blood vessel formation contributes to wound healing and inflammation. Gaining a greater understanding of the factors that affect vascular response may then contribute to future breakthroughs in dental medicine. In this study, we have characterized the endothelial cell response to the common bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum, an important bridging species that facilitates the activity of late colonizers of the dental biofilm. Endothelial cells were infected with Fusobacterium nucleatum (strain 25586) for periods of 4, 12, 24, or 48 h. Cell proliferation and tube formation were analyzed, and expression of adhesion molecules (CD31 and CD34) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors 1 and 2 was measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. Data indicate that F. nucleatum impaired endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation. The findings suggest that the modified endothelial cell response acts as a mechanism promoting the pathogenic progression of periodontal diseases and may potentially suggest the involvement of periodontopathogens in systemic diseases associated with periodontal inflammation.
American Society for Microbiology