Environmental modulation of the structure P. gingivalis surface macromolecules and effects on virulence.

背景牙周炎是一种慢性炎症性疾病的结构，支持牙齿。疾病进展导致牙齿过早脱落和显著的口腔毁容和咀嚼能力丧失。中度严重疾病影响了43%的人口。该疾病由在牙齿/牙龈界面上形成复杂菌落（生物膜）并在易感个体中诱导炎症的细菌引发。某些特定的细菌与牙周炎有关，一种常见的细菌被称为牙龈卟啉单胞菌。这有能力改变其外部结构取决于当地的条件。这似乎是在炎症的条件下，温度升高和血液制品的浓度较高，这些变化可能会提供细菌的能力增加，导致牙周炎。性质拟议的研究本研究的目的是重新创建这个牙齿/牙龈界面的实验模型中，我们可以进一步调查的变化，细菌与不同的环境条件。结果和益处了解细菌和个体之间复杂的相互作用将使我们能够开发诊断和治疗这种常见和使人衰弱的疾病的技术。

Background Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the structures that support the teeth. Disease progression leads to premature tooth loss and significant oral disfigurement and loss of ability to chew. Moderately severe disease affects 43% of the population. The disease is initiated by bacteria that form a complex colony (biofilm) on the tooth/gum interface and induce inflammation in a susceptible individual. Certain specific bacteria are associated with periodontitis, one common bacteria being called Porphyromonas gingivalis. This has the ability to change its outer structure depending on local conditions. It seems that in conditions of inflammation, increased temperature and higher concentration of blood products, the changes may offer the bacteria an increased ability to cause periodontitis.Nature of Proposed Research The aim of this study is to recreate this tooth/gum interface in an experimental model in which we can then further investigate the changes to the bacteria with different environmental conditions. It is then proposed to transfer these experimental conditions into an animal model to further investigate these interactions.Outcomes and Benefits Understanding these complex interactions between bacteria and individual will enable us to develop techniques for diagnosing and treating this common and debilitating disease.