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Infection and Immunity, April 2006, p. 2286-2292, Vol. 74, No. 4
0019-9567/06/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/IAI.74.4.2286-2292.2006
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
David Kuo,
Tesfahun Desta,
Julia Yang,
Michelle F. Siqueira,
Salomon Amar, and
Dana T. Graves*
Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
Received 28 June 2005/ Returned for modification 26 July 2005/ Accepted 8 December 2005
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Both the innate and acquired arms of the immune response are believed to have roles in periodontal disease progression (15, 38). We have previously demonstrated that interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) cytokines produced by the innate immune response are significant contributors to bone destruction in a nonhuman primate model (4, 8). Specific inhibitors of IL-1/TNF activity reduced recruitment of inflammatory cells in close proximity to bone, the number of osteoclasts formed, bone loss, and loss of attachment. Inhibition of IL-1 alone significantly reduced inflammation, connective tissue attachment loss, and bone resorption induced by periodontal pathogens (9). Similarly, inhibition of prostaglandins has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation and bone loss in animal models of periodontal disease (28, 43). Conversely, the pivotal role in periodontal bone loss of CD4+ T cells of the acquired immune system was demonstrated in studies of lymphocyte-immunodeficient mice challenged by oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis (5) or Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (39). Furthermore, osteoprotegerin ligand, a bone-resorbing factor produced by activated lymphocytes, was a key modulator in a murine model of periodontal bone loss (39).
The inflammatory response in periodontal disease is thought to contribute to the loss of bone, connective tissue, and critical matrix-producing cells (15, 42). It is noteworthy that loss of fibroblasts is one of the most distinctive cellular changes that occur in progressing periodontal disease (45). Fibroblastic cells in patients with periodontitis have the highest rate of apoptosis among the various cells in the gingiva and are observed predominantly in areas where inflammatory cells have been recruited (26, 40). This association between leukocytes and fibroblast apoptosis was subsequently confirmed by the observation that P. gingivalis stimulates fibroblast apoptosis in vivo by induction of TNF activity of the innate immune response (18). The clinical significance of fibroblast apoptosis has recently been suggested by linking it to loss of attachment, an early feature of periodontitis that precedes loss of bone (11).
The purpose of experiments described here was to investigate the degree to which the addition of the acquired immune response augments cytokine expression, the destruction of soft tissue and bone, and apoptosis of fibroblastic cells induced by inoculation of P. gingivalis. These experiments provide insight into mechanisms by which host-bacterium interactions result in tissue loss in conditions such as periodontal disease.
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Bacterial inoculation and experimental design. We have previously demonstrated that P. gingivalis strain 381 reproducibly induces formation of an inflammatory infiltrate, proapoptotic gene expression, and fibroblast apoptosis when inoculated into connective tissue (19, 29). Broth-grown P. gingivalis strain 381 in logarithmic growth phase was collected and suspended in sterile PBS. For immunization, bacteria were fixed with 1% paraformaldehyde for 4 hours just prior to injection. An inoculum of 2.5 x 108 bacteria in 50 µl of sterile PBS was injected subcutaneously into the dorsal dermis of animals once weekly for three consecutive weeks. Animals undergoing this protocol represent the immunized group in this study, and we have previously shown that this protocol results in activation of the acquired immune response 1 week after the third inoculation (7). Control animals were sham immunized with an equal volume of sterile PBS according to the same scheme; these animals are the sham-immunized (i.e., nonimmunized) group in this study. Four weeks after the first inoculation, both the immunized and the sham-immunized animals were inoculated with live P. gingivalis in the scalp as described previously (18, 27). Briefly, mice were inoculated by supraperiosteal injection at the midline of the scalp between the ears with P. gingivalis (2 x 108 bacteria), and animals were subsequently euthanized 0, 5, or 8 days later for histologic analysis and at 0, 3, or 5 days for mRNA analysis. In some cases, vehicle alone, sterile PBS, was inoculated into the scalp.
Preparation of histologic specimens and RNA isolation. Calvaria with intact soft tissue were prepared for fixation, embedding in paraffin, and sectioning as previously described (19). For mRNA analysis, the soft tissue was immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and pulverized, and total RNA was extracted twice with Trizol reagent (Life Technologies Inc., Rockville, MD) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
mRNA expression. The mRNA levels of cytokines, chemokines, and proapoptotic factors were assessed by real-time PCR using primers and probe sets purchased from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, CA) as previously described (2). Briefly, 2 µg of total RNA was used from each sample and Taqman reagents were used for first-strand cDNA synthesis and amplification. Results were normalized with an 18S ribosomal primer and probe set. Each experiment was performed three times, and the results from the three separate experiments were combined in order to derive mean values that could be tested for statistical significance. The mRNA levels of the experimental groups were compared to baseline levels which were established with RNA isolated from the scalp of animals that received no injections of P. gingivalis or vehicle. The mRNA values of proinflammatory and proapoptotic factors were normalized to the baseline value, which was set at 1, and data were expressed as increases in stimulation.
Histomorphometric analysis. To assess the inflammatory response, 5-µm hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained sections were examined at x1,000 magnification at the center of the inflammatory lesion and three flanking fields on each side so that a total of seven fields were examined per specimen. The number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and mononuclear cells was determined in each field, and the results were expressed as mean values per field. The degree of tissue destruction 5 days after inoculation was determined by measuring the area that contained cells which were clearly necrotic. We have previously shown that this area is well defined at the 5-day time point (29).
Osteoclast counts and bone destruction. Osteoclasts were identified as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells lining the bone between coronal and occipital sutures. The area of bone loss was determined with van Geisson-stained slides using Image ProPlus software (Media Cybernetics, Silver Spring, MD), as previously described (19). Bone loss was assessed by subtracting each value from the value for the baseline group which did not receive injection of bacteria.
Apoptosis assay. Apoptotic cells were detected by an in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP (TdT)-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay using a TACS 2 TdT kit with nuclear fast red counterstain (Trevigen, Gaithersburg, MD). The number of TUNEL-positive fibroblastic cells between the occipital and coronal sutures was counted at x1,000 magnification. Apoptotic fibroblasts were distinguished by their characteristic appearance. In selected experiments, the number of apoptotic fibroblasts was confirmed by identifying cells that were both TUNEL positive and strongly vimentin positive as we have previously described (29).
Data analysis. Histologic sections were examined under blind conditions by one examiner, and measurements were independently confirmed by a second examiner. The mouse was the unit of measurement, and for each data point, there were at least six mice. Data are presented as means ± standard errors of the means (SEMs). Statistical analysis between immunized and sham-immunized groups for a given parameter was established by Student's t test, with P values of <0.05 considered statistically significant. The real-time PCR data from three separate experiments were combined, and results were expressed as means ± SEMs. Statistical analysis between immunized and sham-immunized groups for a given molecular mediator was established by Student's t test, with P values of <0.05 considered statistically significant.
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) were significantly higher in immunized animals challenged with P. gingivalis at both time points (P < 0.05) than in sham-immunized animals (Fig. 1A and B). The levels of chemokines that recruit PMNs and mononuclear cells, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), were also examined (Fig. 1C and D). The mRNA levels of both chemokines were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at both time points in immunized mice than in sham-immunized mice.
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FIG. 1. Immunization enhances cytokine and chemokine expression induced by P. gingivalis. Mice were immunized (Im) by i.p. injection of fixed P. gingivalis or sham-immunized (ShIm) by i.p. injection of vehicle alone, sterile PBS, and examined 3 days (3d) or 5 days (5d) after inoculation. Both immunized and sham-immunized mice were inoculated by supraperiosteal injection of P. gingivalis in the scalp as described in Materials and Methods. Total RNA was then isolated from tissue taken from the site of inoculation, and mRNA levels of proinflammatory factors were measured by real-time PCR. Experimental groups were compared to baseline (BL) values from nonimmunized mice that had received no injections of P. gingivalis or vehicle. Data are expressed as increases in stimulation above baseline values, and results shown are for the cytokines IL-6 (A) and IFN- (B) and the chemokines MCP-1 (C) and MIP-2 (D). Each bar represents the mean ± SEM (error bar) for three separate experiments. Asterisks indicate significantly different values for P. gingivalis-immunized mice compared to the values for sham-immunized mice (P < 0.05).
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FIG. 2. The formation of a PMN and mononuclear cell infiltrate is greater in immunized mice in response to P. gingivalis. Sham-immunized mice (Shim-Pg) and mice that were immunized against P. gingivalis (Im-Pg) were challenged by supraperiosteal injection of P. gingivalis into the scalp and were compared to immunized mice inoculated with vehicle (Veh) alone. Calvaria with intact scalp were obtained 5 or 8 days later and analyzed histologically. The numbers of PMNs and mononuclear cells were counted at x1,000 magnification and identified by their characteristic appearances in hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained sections. Results are presented for PMNs at days 5 (A) and 8 (B) and for mononuclear cells at days 5 (C) and 8 (D). Each bar represents the mean ± SEM (error bar) of 6 animals. Asterisks indicate significantly different values for P. gingivalis-immunized mice compared to the values for sham-immunized mice (P < 0.05).
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FIG. 3. P. gingivalis induces a larger number of osteoclasts and more bone resorption in immunized mice. The experimental design and most abbreviations are as described in the legend to Fig. 2. Osteoclasts were identified as TRAP-positive, multinucleated cells lining bone. The area of bone loss was determined in histologic sections as described in Materials and Methods. The osteoclast counts at days 5 (A) and 8 (B) and the area of bone loss (in mm2) at day 8 (C) are shown. Asterisks indicate significantly different values for P. gingivalis-immunized mice (Im-Pg) compared to the values for sham-immunized mice (Shim-Pg) (P < 0.05).
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FIG. 4. Soft tissue destruction and the number of apoptotic fibroblasts are greater in immunized mice challenged with P. gingivalis. The area of soft tissue destruction (in mm2) (A) was measured as described in Materials and Methods. Apoptotic fibroblasts (B and C) were identified by their characteristic appearance in the TUNEL assay in histologic sections and counted, also as described in Materials and Methods. Asterisks indicate significantly different values for P. gingivalis-immunized mice (Im-Pg) compared to the values for sham-immunized mice (Shim-Pg) (P < 0.05). For a control, mice were inoculated with vehicle (Veh) alone.
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, caspase 3, and Fas ligand (FasL) mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR (Fig. 5). The immunized group had significantly higher levels of expression of these three genes on both days 3 and 5 compared to the sham-immunized group (P < 0.05).
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FIG. 5. Immunization enhances proapoptotic factor expression induced by P. gingivalis. The experimental design and abbreviations are as described in the legend to Fig. 1. Data from real-time PCR experiments are expressed as increases in stimulation above baseline (BL) values, and the results shown are for TNF- (A), FasL (B), and caspase 3 (Casp3) (C). Each bar represents the mean ± SEM for three separate experiments. Asterisks indicate significantly different values for P. gingivalis-immunized mice compared to the values for sham-immunized mice (P < 0.05).
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The immunization regimen utilized has previously been shown to result in activation of the acquired immune response (7). That the acquired immune response led to greater tissue loss induced by P. gingivalis is supported by an increased area of soft tissue destruction, greater osteoclastogenesis, and enhanced bone loss. There are several avenues through which these may occur. Cytokine expression was markedly increased by adding the acquired immunity to the host response to P. gingivalis. In immunized mice, the expression of IL-6 and formation of a PMN infiltrate, both of which are associated with the innate response, were enhanced and more persistent than in sham-immunized control animals. Thus, one mechanism by which the acquired immune response may aggravate the destruction of tissue is through further up-regulation of innate immunity. This may occur through IFN-
, which is one of the principal cytokines through which acquired immunity enhances the innate response. IFN-
stimulates the induction of chemokines that recruit PMNs and monocytes and enhances activity in these cells (1, 36, 41).
The activity of mononuclear cells appears important in explaining the enhanced host responses observed. Mononuclear cells produce many of the factors that lead to connective tissue breakdown and bone resorption (23, 35), and these products include IL-6, IL-1, TNF, RANKL (receptor activator of NF-
B ligand), and others that activate matrix metalloproteinases and stimulate osteoclastogenesis (6, 15, 44). The greater infiltration of mononuclear cells in immunized mice in response to P. gingivalis could be explained by the increased levels of MCP-1, a potent chemoattractant for monocytes and some lymphocytes (14). Immunization also led to greater expression of the chemokine MIP-2, which is a chemoattractant for PMNs. Thus, enhanced chemokine expression in immunized mice may represent a mechanism through which the acquired immune response may lead to a more pronounced and prolonged inflammatory infiltrate (1, 36, 41).
The loss of cells through infection-induced apoptosis is widely recognized as contributing to gastritis (21, 32). A similar process may be important in periodontal disease, where it has been shown that apoptosis of fibroblasts is enhanced (12, 24, 26, 34, 40). It has also recently been reported that apoptosis of fibroblastic cells is associated with loss of attachment (11). In the present study, immunized mice had severalfold-higher numbers of apoptotic fibroblasts in comparison to the sham-immunized controls. This may occur since mediators induced by the acquired response may act synergistically with those induced by the innate response to maximally induce apoptosis (33, 47). In support of this, immunized mice had significantly higher levels of the proapoptotic factors TNF-
, FasL, and caspase 3. Thus, activation of the acquired immune response may tip the intracellular balance toward apoptosis by induction of proapoptotic genes.
The critical role of plaque bacteria in periodontal pathogenesis is well accepted, and the interactions between bacteria and host are known to be myriad and complex. Bacteria that are shed from the biofilm on the tooth surface invade the periodontium and initiate a cascade that results in cell and tissue loss. Periodontal pathogens, such as P. gingivalis, also express potent proteases that enhance their virulence (3, 22). Given that humans have antibodies against the major periodontal pathogens, invasion by these bacteria or their products is likely to elicit both an innate and acquired immune response (10). We specifically examined proinflammatory gene expression at the mRNA level to measure the in vivo response to a bacterial stimulus with and without prior immunization. Because the levels of expression of the proinflammatory genes examined were significantly higher in the immunized group than in the nonimmunized group, we believe that the response to P. gingivalis is heightened by preimmunization and that this has clinical relevance in the context of chronic periodontitis. However, this study does not address whether the acquired immune response is ultimately protective by limiting invasion, since our goal was to investigate the consequence of the acquired immune response once bacteria were inoculated into a connective tissue environment in close proximity to bone.
To conclude, findings reported here indicate that the acquired immune response enhances the expression of cytokines and chemokines and promotes a more pronounced and prolonged recruitment of inflammatory cells. This in turn is associated with greater area of tissue destruction and enhanced fibroblast apoptosis. These results support earlier studies which indicate that the acquired immune response may play a significant role in the loss of tissue that occurs in response to periodontal pathogens (5, 13, 39). The addition of the acquired immune response may contribute to enhanced loss of tissue through several mechanisms, including up-regulation of the innate response, enhanced osteoclastogenesis, and greater loss of matrix-producing cells through apoptosis.
This work was supported by NIH grants R01DE07559, R01DE15989, and HL76801.
These authors contributed equally to this project. ![]()
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. J. Immunol. 161:3719-3728.This article has been cited by other articles:
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