Bacterial interactions with a three-dimensional primary human gingival epithelial cell culture
Date
2009
DOI
Authors
Moschidis, Anastasios
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The gingiva is composed of stratified squamous epithelium and the lamina propria, a layer of dense connective tissue, firmly attached to underlying alveolar bone. Between the epithelium and the lamina propria is the basement membrane that is produced by the overlying epithelium and is composed mainly of type IV collagen. The gingival epithelium can be ortho- or para-keratinized in nature. Epithelium lays the oral cavity, forms the gingival sulcus around the teeth, and is the first tissue that is exposed to the microorganisms that colonize the surfaces of the oral cavity. It forms a mechanical, chemical, and biological barrier that prohibits the microbes from entering the body and influences the type of microorganisms that colonize these surfaces. This interaction is crucial for homeostasis, prevention of diseases and therapeutical interventions.
Studies of in vitro pure epithelium models are very limited due to the difficulty to culture multilayer epithelia without the “guidance” of a fibroblast feeder layer. Therefore, the aim of our study was to form a pure primary human gingival epithelium and study the interaction between the epithelial cells and various bacteria. The bacteria chosen were periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, opportunistic pathogen Fusobacterium nucleatum and commensal Streptococcus gordonii. The model developed gave us the opportunity to study the response of the epithelia, without the masking and additional effects of the fibroblast-dominated connective tissue. This model therefore, is useful in understanding the mechanism of the epithelial-bacteria interactions in the oral cavity.
Our results using this model indicate that periodontopathogens and high concentrations of opportunistic bacteria have detrimental effects on the epithelial barrier function and induce cellular apoptosis; whereas the commensal species are well tolerated. In the case of P. gingivalis, these effects are associated with cysteine proteinases (gingipains).
Description
PLEASE NOTE: This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community: please click Download and log in with a valid BU account to access. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact open-help@bu.edu.
Thesis (MSD) --Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 2009 (Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology).
Includes bibliographic references: leaves 69-80.
Thesis (MSD) --Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 2009 (Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology).
Includes bibliographic references: leaves 69-80.
License
This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact open-help@bu.edu.