title: Host defence mechanisms against bacterial aggression in periodontal disease: Basic mechanisms.
abstract: Periodontal diseases are complex bacteria-induced infections characterised by an inflammatory host response to plaque microbiota and their by-products. Most of these microorganisms have virulence factors capable of causing massive tissue destruction both directly, through tissue invasion and the production of harmful substances, or indirectly, by activation of host defense mechanisms, creating an inflammatory infiltrate of potent catabolic activity that can interfere with normal host defense mechanisms. In response to the aggression, host defense mechanisms activate innate and adaptive immune responses. Our aim is to offer a general overview of the main mechanisms involved in the host response to bacterial aggression in periodontitis, such as lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14, complement system, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, antibodies and immunoglobulins.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Madrid Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain. antbasco@odon.ucm.es
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bascones-Martínez
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Corcuera
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noronha
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bascones-Ilundain
authors.forename: Julián
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campo-Trapero
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*