2025/03/23 by Qin Hu, Wai Keung Leung, WK Leung +2
Dentistry · Health Professions · Medicine · #Oral and gingival health research #Oral microbiology and periodontitis research #Salivary Gland Disorders and Functions
paper · doi:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2025.106240
openalex publication_date 2025/03/23 · crossref created 2025/03/23 · crossref issued 2025/06/01 · crossref published 2025/06/01 · crossref published-print 2025/06/01 · crossref deposited 2025/07/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
This study aims to investigate the immunomodulatory potential of Akkermansia muciniphila in restoring Porphyromonas gingivalis -induced immune dysfunction. The immune response was assessed by measuring the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antibacterial peptides in human gingival epithelial cells and human gingival fibroblasts treated with A. muciniphila, P. gingivalis , or a combination of both. Activation of the NF-κB pathway was analyzed using immunofluorescent staining and western blot. In vivo validation was performed using a mouse model, where A. muciniphila and P. gingivalis were administered alongside a MyD88-specific inhibitor to confirm the immunomodulatory mechanisms. A. muciniphila significantly enhanced the defensive immune response through TLR-MYD88-NF-κB pathway. In vitro and in vivo , A. muciniphila upregulated chemokine expression to recruit immune cells. A. muciniphila also reduced the adhesion and internalization of P. gingivalis and increased the expression of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides ( DEFB103B and CAMP ). A. muciniphila demonstrates potential in combating P. gingivalis infection highlighting its role as a promising immune modulator for periodontal disease management. • Potential of A. muciniphila as an immune modulator for periodontal disease. • muciniphila upregulates immune response via TLR-MYD88-NF-ƙB pathway. • muciniphila reduces P. gingivalis adhesion and internalization in periodontal cells. • muciniphila enhances chemotactic activity towards immune cells to combat infection.