Induction of inflammatory immune response by streptococcal water-insoluble α-glucans and association with periodontal diseases

不溶于水的α-葡聚糖（WIG）是由变形链球菌的糖基转移酶i合成的，在牙菌斑的形成中起重要作用。我们发现由sobrinus链球菌合成的WIG激活小鼠腹膜渗出巨噬细胞产生细胞因子。免疫反应不是由蔗糖、水溶性葡聚糖、脂多糖或肽聚糖污染引起的。WIG刺激人单核细胞产生TNF-α和IL-8。人多形核细胞也被WIG激活，导致细胞趋化和过氧化氢的产生。这些结果表明，WIG调节巨噬细胞和粒细胞诱导的炎症免疫反应。此外，由于WIG直接损伤人口腔鳞状细胞，我们推测α-葡聚糖诱导的口腔鳞状细胞损伤和炎症与牙周病的发生有关。

Water-insoluble α-glucans (WIG) are synthesized from sucrose by the glucosyltransferase-I of mutans streptococci, that play an important role in the development of dental plaque. We found that WIG synthesized by Streptococcus sobrinus activated mouse peritoneal exudate macrophages to produce cytokines. The immunological responses were not due to contamination by sucrose, water-soluble glucan, lipopolysaccharide, or peptidoglycan. WIG stimulated human monocytes to produce TNF-α and IL-8. Human polymorphonuclear cells were also activated by WIG, resulting in chemotaxis of the cells and production of hydrogen peroxide. These results suggest that WIG modulate macrophage- and granulocyte-induced inflammatory immune responses. Furthermore, since WIG injured human oral squamous cells directly, we speculate that oral squamous cell injury and inflammation induced by α-glucans are associated with the development of periodontal diseases.