Bacterial extracellular vesicles from Porphyromonas gingivalis - proteomic profile and influence on oral fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aimed to explore the protein content of bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) from three strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis, an anaerobic gram-negative bacterium closely associated with periodontitis. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the effects of bEV uptake on human oral fibroblasts, to better understand the role of these vesicles in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

DESIGN

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed on bEVs from three strains of P. gingivalis with different virulence: ATCC 33277, A7A1-28, and W83. Three key proteins associated with virulence were validated using dot blot. Proliferation and viability of human oral fibroblasts after incubation with bEVs were assessed at different timepoints and different concentrations of bEVs.

RESULTS

A total of 307 proteins were identified in the bEVs from the three strains of P. gingivalis. Among those were several relevant for virulence, for example gingipains, fimbriae, and peptidyl-arginine deiminase (PPAD). When oral fibroblasts were exposed to bEVs from A7A1-28 or W83, proliferation was significantly affected after 12 and 24 h at one bEV concentration. Furthermore, viability was significantly affected by bEVs from W83 at several timepoints and bEV concentrations. bEVs from ATCC 33277 did not induce any significant changes.

CONCLUSION

Several proteins associated with virulence were detected in bEVs from all three strains of P. gingivalis, with varying abundance. Uptake of these bEVs can influence human cells, as exemplified by changes in viability and proliferation.