IL-8 degradation by Porphyromonas gingivalis proteases.
Gingival epithelial cells are the primary barrier to infection by periodontal pathogens. The production of chemotactic cytokines, including interleukin-8 (IL-8), is one mechanism the host uses in response to infection. In this study it was found that both gingival and oral epithelial cells produced IL-8, but after infection with the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, accumulation of the cytokine could not be detected. Northern analysis established that infected epithelial cells still expressed IL-8 mRNA, suggesting that the cytokine was destroyed after secretion. Incubation of IL-8 with P. gingivalis cells resulted in rapid loss of the cytokine; however, in the presence of a protease inhibitor the loss was significantly retarded, indicating that IL-8 was degraded by P. gingivalis proteases.
Zhang
J
J
Department of Nutrition Section, Forsyth Dental Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Dong
H
H
Kashket
S
S
Duncan
M J
MJ
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002460:Cell Line; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000201:enzymology*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014107:Tosyllysine Chloromethyl Ketone / Q000494:pharmacology
D016209:Interleukin-8; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D014107:Tosyllysine Chloromethyl Ketone; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases