Elevated opsonic activity for Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis in serum from patients with a history of destructive periodontal disease

Abstract

We have measured the opsonic capacity of serum for the phagocytosis of Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) in 35 patients with a history of destructive periodontitis and 35 matched control subjects. The serum from cases, tested at concentrations of 8% and 0.8% opsonised P. gingivalis for phagocytosis by PMN to a level significantly greater than controls (p < 0.0001 and < 0.01 respectively). IgG antibody levels to P. gingivalis whole cells estimated by ELISA were also significantly higher in the cases (p < 0.0001). The IgG antibody levels correlated significantly with the opsonic capacity of the serum tested at 8% concentration in controls (r = 0.371, p = 0.03) but not in cases (r = 0.235, p = 0.17); in 0.8% serum, the opsonic capacity of the cases and controls were not significantly correlated. Elevated opsonisation by serum was a significant predictor that a subject was a case rather than a control, even after allowing for the effect of elevated IgG antibody in the cases. The data suggest that an elevated capacity of serum to opsonise P. gingivalis is a distinctive feature in patients with past destructive periodontal disease.

Destructive Periodontitis Lesions are Determined by the Nature of the Lymphocytic Response

“…Several studies have reported a predominance of serum IgG2 antibodies in response to P. gingivalis (Lopatin and Blackburn, 1992;Whitney et al ., 1992;Polak et al ., 1995;Wilton et al ., 1993). IgG2 antibodies are the primary immunoglobulin subclass produced in response to bacterial carbohydrates and LPS and lack strong complement fixation and opsonic properties.…”

“…High titers of specific antibody levels to P. gingivalis (Ling et al ., 1993;Wilton et al ., 1993;Meghji et al ., 1995) and A. actinomycetemcomitans (Saito et al ., 1993;Meghji et al ., 1995;Engström et al ., 1999) have been reported in serum and gingival crevicular fluid, although many studies report conflicting results. Positive correlations between elevated IgG levels to P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans have been shown in gingivitis associated with both puberty and adult periodontitis (Nakagawa et al ., 1994), while a negative relationship between anti-A.…”

“…Other studies suggesting a role for protective antibodies include the demonstration of anti-P. gingivalis protease antibodies which occur late in periodontitis infections and which can block the anti-opsonizing activity against C3 and IgG (Cutler et al ., 1993). An increased capacity of serum to opsonize P. gingivalis has been shown to be a distinctive feature in patients with past destructive periodontal disease (Wilton et al ., 1993). Opsonic IgG antibodies to A. actinomycetemcomitans which may facilitate neutrophil-mediated phagocytosis and be protective against this periodontopathic organism have also been demonstrated (Baker and Wilson, 1989;Underwood et al ., 1993).…”

Lipopolysaccharidefrom the Periodontal PathogenPorphyromonas gingivalisPrevents Apoptosis of HL60-Derived Neutrophils InVitro

“…It is mostly found in deep periodontal pockets and active sites (13,21), and elevated levels of opsonic activity to P. gingivalis have been found in the serum of patients with a history of destructive periodontal disease (42).…”

Porphyromonas gingivalis -Specific Immunoglobulin G Prevents P. gingivalis -Elicited Oral Bone Loss in a Murine Model

“…However, despite this potent antibody response the host is apparently unable to clear this chronic infection. Notwithstanding this fact, Wilton et al (20) reported that sera obtained from patients with periodontal disease contain antibodies that promote opsonophagocytosis of P. gingivalis by human neutrophils.…”