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Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP) as an acute-phase protein plays a crucial role in innate host response to bacterial challenge. Our previous study shows that LBP expression in human gingiva is associated with periodontal status. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a keystone periodontopathogen, and its LPS with lipid A structural heterogeneity critically accounts for periodontal pathogenesis. This study investigated the effects of LBP and its interactions with two featured isoforms of P. gingivalis LPS (tetra-acylated LPS1435/1449 and penta-acylated LPS1690) on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in human oral keratinocytes (HOKs), and the involvement of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. HOKs were pre-incubated with recombinant human LBP (rhLBP) at 10ng/ml, 100ng/ml and 1μg/ml for 1 h, followed by the treatment of P. gingivalis LPS1690 or LPS1435/1449 for 3h or 24h respectively. The expression of IL-6 and IL-8, and involvements of TLR2 and TLR4 were analyzed. The genes associated with TLR signaling were assessed by PCR array. Interestingly, rhLBP per se significantly up-regulated the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in HOKs (p

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a widely used antimicrobial agent in dentistry. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel mesoporous silica nanoparticle-encapsulated pure CHX (Nano-CHX), and its mechanical profile and antimicrobial properties against oral biofilms.The release of CHX from the Nano-CHX was characterized by UV/visible absorption spectroscopy. The antimicrobial properties of Nano-CHX were evaluated in both planktonic and biofilm modes of representative oral pathogenic bacteria. The Nano-CHX demonstrated potent antibacterial effects on planktonic bacteria and mono-species biofilms at the concentrations of 50-200 µg/mL against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Enterococccus faecalis. Moreover, Nano-CHX effectively suppressed multi-species biofilms such as S. mutans, F. nucleatum, A. actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis up to 72 h.This pioneering study demonstrates the potent antibacterial effects of the Nano-CHX on oral biofilms, and it may be developed as a novel and promising anti-biofilm agent for clinical use.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major pathogen of periodontal disease that affects a majority of adults worldwide. Increasing evidence shows that periodontal disease is linked to various systemic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, by contributing to increased systemic levels of inflammation. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), as a key virulent attribute of P. gingivalis, possesses significant amount of lipid A heterogeneity containing tetra- (LPS1435/1449) and penta-acylated (LPS1690) structures. Hitherto, the exact molecular mechanism of P. gingivalis LPS involved in periodontal pathogenesis remains unclear, due to limited understanding of the specific receptors and signaling pathways involved in LPS-host cell interactions.This study systematically investigated the effects of P. gingivalis LPS1435/1449 and LPS1690 on the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 signal transduction and the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). We found that LPS1435/1449 and LPS1690 differentially modulated TLR2 and TLR4 expression. NF-κB pathway was significantly activated by LPS1690 but not by LPS1435/1449. In addition, LPS1690 induced significant expression of NF-κB and p38 MPAK pathways-related genes, such as NFKBIA, NFKB1, IKBKB, MAP2K4 and MAPK8. Notably, the pro-inflammatory genes including GM-CSF, CXCL10, G-CSF, IL-6, IL-8 and CCL2 were significantly upregulated by LPS1690 while down-regulated by LPS1435/1449. Blocking assays confirmed that TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling was vital in LPS1690-induced expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in HGFs.The present study suggests that the tetra- and penta-acylated lipid A structures of P. gingivalis LPS differentially activate TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway, and significantly modulate the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in HGFs. The ability to alter the lipid A structure of LPS could be one of the strategies carried-out by P. gingivalis to evade innate host defense in gingival tissues, thereby contributing to periodontal pathogenesis.

Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the main global oral health burdens and severe periodontal disease (periodontitis) is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults globally. It also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key virulent attribute that significantly contributes to periodontal pathogenesis. Baicalin is a flavonoid from Scutellaria radix, an herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating inflammatory diseases. The present study examined the modulatory effect of baicalin on P. gingivalis LPS-induced expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in human oral keratinocytes (HOKs). Cells were pre-treated with baicalin (0-80 µM) for 24 h, and subsequently treated with P. gingivalis LPS at 10 µg/ml with or without baicalin for 3 h. IL-6 and IL-8 transcripts and proteins were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) proteins was analyzed by western blot. A panel of genes related to toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling was examined by PCR array. We found that baicalin significantly downregulated P. gingivalis LPS-stimulated expression of IL-6 and IL-8, and inhibited P. gingivalis LPS-activated NF-κB, p38 MAPK and JNK. Furthermore, baicalin markedly downregulated P. gingivalis LPS-induced expression of genes associated with TLR signaling. In conclusion, the present study shows that baicalin may significantly downregulate P. gingivalis LPS-upregulated expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in HOKs via negative regulation of TLR signaling.