Treponema denticola Induces Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction in Polarized Epithelial Cells.

In this study, the MDCK cell profile was investigated following infection with T. denticola (ATCC 35405) wild-type, as well as with its dentilisin-deficient mutant, K1. Basolateral exposure of MDCK cell monolayers to T. denticola at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 104 resulted in a decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). Transepithelial electrical resistance in MDCK cell monolayers also decreased following apical exposure to T. denticola (MOI=104), although this took longer with basolateral exposure. The effect on the TER was time-dependent and required the presence of live bacteria. Meanwhile, MDCK cell viability showed a decrease with either basolateral or apical exposure. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated decreases in the amounts of immunoreactive ZO-1 and claudin-1 in association with disruption of cell-cell junctions in MDCK cells exposed apically or basolaterally to T. denticola. Western blot analysis demonstrated degradation of ZO-1 and claudin-1 in culture lysates derived from T. denticola-exposed MDCK cells, suggesting a bacteria-induced protease capable of cleaving these tight junction proteins. PMID: 30333370 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The Bulletin of Tokyo Dental College - Category: Dentistry Authors: Tags: Bull Tokyo Dent Coll Source Type: research