Porphyromonas gingivalis Induces RANKL in T-cells

Porphyromonas gingivalis is an oral pathogen highly implicated in chronic periodontitis, a disease characterized by inflammatory destruction of the tooth-supporting alveolar bone and eventually, tooth loss. T-cell innate immune responses are actively involved in this pathological process. Receptor activator of NF-κB Ligand (RANKL) is a cytokine that stimulates bone resorption, while its soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) blocks its action. This study aimed to investigate in Jurkat T-cells the effects of P. gingivalis on the RANKL-OPG system and the major inflammatory mediator of bone resorption prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ). P. gingivalis caused concentration-dependent up-regulation of RANKL gene expression and protein production, assessed by quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively. PGE 2 production was also enhanced. However, OPG was not detected. In conclusion, P. gingivalis induces RANKL and PGE 2 in T-cells, potentially favoring bone resorption. These T-cell responses to P. gingivalis may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory alveolar bone destruction occurring in chronic periodontitis.