Treponema denticola is a dominant microorganism in human periodontal lesions. One of the major virulence factors of this microorganism is its chymotrypsinlike surface protease, dentilisin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dentilisin on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). We used chemiluminescence to assess production of O 2 -by PMNs against T. denticola ATCC 35405 and dentilisin deficient mutant K1. T. denticola ATCC 35405 induced production of O 2 -, whereas dentilisin deficient K1 did not. We found that chymostatin, a protease inhibitor, strongly reduced the ability of T. denticola ATCC 35405 to induce production of, O 2 -, whereas K1 was relatively unaffected. We also usedImmunoblot and ELISA to evaluate the activation of complement by this microorganism in relation to PMNs. T. denticola ATCC 35405 hydrolyzed the α-chain of C3, producing iC3b.Furthermore, strain ATCC 35405 induced a larger release of MMP-9 from PMNs than strain K1. Dentilisin, activated PMNs via complement pathways, and may play a role in establishing periodontal lesions.