The Proteomes of Oral Cells Change during Co-Cultivation with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Eikenella corrodens

Changes in the proteome of oral cells during periodontitis have rarely been investigated. This lack of information is partially attributed to the lack of human cell lines derived from the oral cavity for in vitro research. The

The results of the present study will help us elucidate the cellular mechanisms of periodontitis. Although co-cultivation with two periodontitis-associated bacterial strains significantly altered the proteomes of oral cells, future research is needed to examine the effects of complex biofilms mimicking in vivo conditions.

We established human cell lines of gingival keratinocytes, osteoblastic lineage cells from the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament fibroblasts, and cementum cells. Using state-of-the-art label-free mass spectrometry, we investigated changes in the proteomes of these cells after co-cultivation with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Eikenella corrodens for 48 h.

Gingival keratinocytes, representing ectodermal cells, exhibited decreased expression of specific keratins, basement membrane components, and cell-cell contact proteins after cultivation with the bacterial strains. Mesodermal lineage cells generally exhibited similar proteomes after co-cultivation with bacteria; in particular, collagens and integrins were expressed at higher levels. Conclusions: The results of the present study will help us elucidate the cellular mechanisms of periodontitis. Although co-cultivation with two periodontitis-associated bacterial strains significantly altered the proteomes of oral cells, future research is needed to examine the effects of complex biofilms mimicking in vivo conditions.