NYMC Faculty Publications
Porphyromonas Gingivalis Infection Accelerates the Progression of Atherosclerosis in a Heterozygous Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Murine Model
Author Type(s)
Faculty
Additional Author Affiliation
Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC
DOI
10.1161/hc0702.104178
Journal Title
Circulation
First Page
861
Last Page
867
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-19-2002
Department
Pharmacology
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Current epidemiological data suggest that dental infections affecting tooth-supporting tissues (periodontitis) can disseminate into the systemic circulation and thereby contribute to atherosclerosis progression. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of repeated systemic inoculations with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a putative periodontal pathogen, on the progression of atherosclerosis in heterozygous apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(+/-)) mice.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten-week-old, male ApoE(+/-) mice fed either a high-fat diet or regular chow were inoculated intravenously with live Pg (10(7) CFU) or vehicle once per week for 10, 14, or 24 consecutive weeks. Histomorphometry of plaque cross-sectional area in the proximal aortas, en face measurement of plaque area over the aortic trees, Pg 16S ribosomal DNA amplification with polymerase chain reaction, ELISA for systemic proinflammatory mediators, and immunolocalization of macrophages in the proximal aorta were performed. Atherosclerotic lesions of the proximal aortas and aortic trees were more advanced in Pg-challenged animals than in vehicle control animals and occurred earlier (at 10 weeks) when no lesions were apparent in control animals. At 24 weeks after inoculation, proximal aortic lesion size quantified by histomorphometry was 9-fold greater in chow-fed mice inoculated with Pg than in noninoculated mice (P
CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that long-term systemic challenge with Porphyromonas gingivalis, an oral pathogen, can accelerate atherogenic plaque progression.
Recommended Citation
Li, L., Messas, E., Batista, E., Levine, R., & Amar, S. (2002). Porphyromonas Gingivalis Infection Accelerates the Progression of Atherosclerosis in a Heterozygous Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Murine Model. Circulation, 105 (7), 861-867. https://doi.org/10.1161/hc0702.104178
