Open AccessColocalization of P orphyromonas gingivalis with CD 4+ T cells in periodontal disease
Author(s) -
Guyodo Helene,
Meuric Vincent,
Pottier Laetitia,
Martin Bénédicte,
Faili Ahmad,
Pers JacquesOlivier,
BonnaureMallet Martine
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2011.00877.x
Subject(s) - porphyromonas gingivalis , immune system , biology , periodontitis , microbiology and biotechnology , connective tissue , immunofluorescence , inflammation , laser capture microdissection , immunology , pathology , antibody , bacteria , medicine , biochemistry , gene expression , genetics , gene
P orphyromonas gingivalis , an anaerobic, asaccharolytic gram‐negative bacterium, is a causative agent in chronic periodontitis. It has many virulence factors that facilitate infection of the gingiva, but little is known about the local immune cells that respond to this bacterium. The aims of this study were to quantify P . gingivalis in gingival biopsies from patients with periodontitis using laser capture microdissection ( LCM ) plus q RT ‐ PCR and to determine the phenotype of immune cells associated with the bacteria using immunofluorescence. The presence of P . gingivalis was confirmed in periodontitis gingival tissue from 10 patients, and differences in bacterial distribution in the epithelium and connective tissue with or without inflammatory infiltrates were observed. Immune cells found in the biopsy tissues, including CD 20+ mature B cells and CD 138+ plasma cells, were associated with the Th2‐type immune response. Most P . gingivalis was in direct contact with CD 4+ T cells. This study revealed for the first time the colocalization of P . gingivalis with immune cells. Use of LCM combined with q RT ‐ PCR enabled quantitative analysis of bacteria in a selected area of a biopsy sample without any tissue degradation. Observation of the immune cells associated with these bacteria was also performed by immunofluorescence.