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Evidence for genetic control of changes in f‐actin polymerization caused by pathogenic microorganisms: in vitro assessment using gingival fibroblasts from human twins
Author(s) -
Hassell T. M.,
Baehni P.,
Harris E. L.,
Walker C.,
Gabbiani G.,
Geinoz A.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of periodontal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0765
pISSN - 0022-3484
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1997.tb01387.x
Subject(s) - actin , phalloidin , cytoskeleton , fibroblast , fusobacterium nucleatum , porphyromonas gingivalis , biology , in vitro , cytoplasm , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , cell , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics
Attachment to and migration upon a substratum, as well as other functions of connective tissue cells, are regulated mainly by cytoplasmic structural proteins, particularly filamentous actin (f‐actin). Pathogenic microorganisms exert negative effects on cytoskeletal proteins. In the present study, normal gingival fibroblasts from 10 sets of human twins (6 fraternal, DZ; 4 identical, MZ) were exposed to soluble extracts from Porphyromonas gingivalis or Fusobacterium nucleatum , then f‐actin was stained using FITC‐labeled phalloidin. Cells were examined under fluorescence, and a computer‐assisted image analyzer quantitated f‐actin polymerization as fluorescence intensity on a per‐cell basis. Intraclass correlation coefficients for f‐actin in MZ/MZ vis‐à‐vis DZ/DZ paired cell cultures were determined to assess the possible heritability of responses to the microorganism preparations. F‐actin labeling was significantly different between control cultures and those exposed to the extracts. Both F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis effected f‐actin and fibroblast morphology. When the data were adjusted for gender and age effects, and for differences in control f‐actin levels, fibroblasts from MZ twin pairs were moderately similar in both absolute and relative responses to bacterial challenges; cells from DZ twins showed little similarity when response was measured on the absolute scale, and moderate similarity using the relative scale.