Prevotella intermedia induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in human periodontal ligament cells.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play pivotal roles in inflammatory diseases including chronic periodontitis. The effects of Prevotella intermedia, a major periodontal pathogen, on MMP-9 production in primary human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells were examined in the present study. MMP-9 mRNA expression was measured by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase PCR and its protein secretion was assayed by gelatin zymography. Prevotella intermedia ATCC 25611 supernatant time and dose-dependently induced MMP-9 expression. In contrast, Porphyromanas gingivalis ATCC 33277 supernatants, Escherichia coli lipopolysacchride and IL-1beta exhibited no stimulatory effects on MMP-9 production in hPDL cells. Mitogen-activated protein kinases [MAPK, including extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK), c-jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38] inhibitors exerted no effect on the P. intermedia-induced MMP-9 production, indicating that P. intermedia induced MMP-9 production through an MAPK-independent pathway. Our results demonstrated that P. intermedia may contribute to periodontal tissue destruction during chronic periodontitis by inducing MMP-9 production in hPDL cells.