title: The effect of L-arginine on Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced phagocytosis of a murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cell line.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of L-arginine on Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced phagocytosis by RAW264.7 cells. The cells were pretreated with L-arginine or D-arginine prior to incubation with either unopsonized or opsonized P. gingivalis. In other experiments, the cells were pretreated with L-arginine and various concentrations of NMLA (N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine) prior to incubation with the bacteria. The phagocytosis was microscopically assessed and determined by the phagocytic index. The results showed that L-arginine, but not D-arginine enhances the ability of RAW264.7 cells to engulf the bacteria. The upregulatory effect of L-arginine on P. gingivalis-induced phagocytosis was abolished by NMLA. The results of the present study suggest that L-arginine may upregulate the P. gingivalis-induced phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells, perhaps, via modulation of nitric oxide synthase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Sciences and Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia. wihaskoro@kb.usm.my
authors.forename: Wihaskoro
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sosroseno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D001120:Arginine