title: The complement system and its role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis: current concepts.
abstract: Periodontitis is a highly prevalent inflammatory disease in tooth supporting tissues, induced by bacteria growing in a biofilm on tooth surfaces. Components of the complement system are present in the periodontal tissue and the system is activated in periodontitis. Continuous complement activation and modulation by bacteria within the biofilm in periodontal pockets, however, may enhance local tissue destruction, providing the biofilm with both essential nutrients and space to grow. A more profound understanding of the mechanisms involved in complement-derived tissue degradation may facilitate the development of new treatment concepts for periodontitis. Further studies on the role of complement in periodontitis pathogenesis may also contribute to the understanding of why some individuals fail to resolve periodontitis. Here, we review evidence that links complement to the pathogenesis of periodontitis with an emphasis on interaction of complement with bacteria from periodontitis-associated biofilm.
authors.affiliation: Section for Periodontology, Microbiology and Community Dentistry, Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Institute for Inflammation Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Applied Oral Sciences, Center for Periodontology, The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Damgaard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Holmstrup
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Van Dyke
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D018441:Biofilms; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion / Q000276:immunology; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D003165:Complement System Proteins
keywords: biofilm; complement; humans; inflammation; periodontitis