title: Activation of complement by the alternative pathway as a factor in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.
abstract: Dental plaque and a bacterium, Actinomyces viscosus, isolated from plaque that can reproduce periodontal disease in germ-free rats, are activators of complement by the alternative pathway. It is suggested that this process is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease.
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000209:etiology; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000378:metabolism; D003176:Complement C3; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D005916:Globulins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000378:metabolism; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology*; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003176:Complement C3; D004731:Endotoxins; D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D005916:Globulins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D002403:Cathepsins; D003012:Microbial Collagenase