Oral Pathobiont-Induced Changes in Gut Microbiota Aggravate the Pathology of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice.

Background & Aims: Periodontitis increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we show that gut dysbiosis induced by oral administration of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a representative periodontopathic bacterium, is involved in the aggravation of NAFLD pathology. Methods: C57BL/6N mice were administered either vehicle, P. gingivalis, or Prevotella intermedia, another periodontopathic bacterium with weaker periodontal pathogenicity, followed by feeding on a choline-deficient, l-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet with 60 kcal% fat and 0.1% methionine (CDAHFD60). The gut microbial communities were analyzed by pyrosequencing the 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Metagenomic analysis was used to determine the relative abundance of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways encoded in the gut microbiota. Serum metabolites were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics coupled with multivariate statistical analyses. Hepatic gene expression profiles were analyzed via DNA microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: CDAHFD60 feeding induced hepatic steatosis, and in combination with bacterial administration, it further aggravated NAFLD pathology, thereby increasing fibrosis. Gene expression analysis of liver samples revealed that genes involved in NAFLD pathology were perturbed, and the two bacteria induced distinct expression profiles. This might be due to quantitative and qualitative differences in the influx of bacterial products in the gut because the serum endotoxin levels, compositions of the gut microbiota, and serum metabolite profiles induced by the ingested P. intermedia and P. gingivalis were different. Conclusions: Swallowed periodontopathic bacteria aggravate NAFLD pathology, likely due to dysregulation of gene expression by inducing gut dysbiosis and subsequent influx of gut bacteria and/or bacterial products.

Rice bran-derived protein fractions enhance sulforaphane-induced anti-oxidative activity in gingival epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Food-derived bioactive peptides have been reported to exhibit various beneficial effects, including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development of several inflammatory diseases such as periodontal disease. However, the anti-oxidative effect of food-derived bioactive peptides in gingival epithelial cells (GECs) is unknown. Therefore, we examined the bioactivity of the peptides in GECs. DESIGN: Food-derived peptide fractionations derived from rice bran, rice endosperm, corn, and soy were screened for anti-oxidative effects using anti-oxidant response element (ARE)-luciferase-transfected HEK 293 cells. The induction of anti-oxidation-related genes and proteins in GECs by the fractions were examined by quantitative PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Then, the fraction-mediated anti-oxidative effects were examined by measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels using flow cytometry. Furthermore, the anti-oxidative response-related cellular signaling pathways were analyzed via Western blotting. RESULTS: Although treatment with the food-derived peptides alone did not activate anti-oxidative responses, co-treatment with sulforaphane (SFN; a potent anti-oxidant) and certain food-derived peptides enhanced anti-oxidative responses in ARE-luciferase-transfected HEK 293 cells. The fractions augmented heme oxygenase-1 mRNA and protein expression in GECs. The percentage of ROS-positive cells was significantly decreased by co-treatment with SFN and peptide fractions derived from rice bran. Furthermore, the involvement of both nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the enhancement of anti-oxidative responses was demonstrated by Western blotting. CONCLUSIONS: Peptides derived from rice bran enhances SFN-induced anti-oxidative responses in GECs through ERK-Nrf2-ARE signaling.

Rice peptide with amino acid substitution inhibits biofilm formation by Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum.

OBJECTIVE: Rice peptide has antibacterial properties that have been tested in planktonic bacterial culture. However, bacteria form biofilm at disease sites and are resistant to antibacterial agents. The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanisms of action of rice peptide and its amino acid substitution against periodontopathic bacteria and their antibiofilm effects. DESIGN: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum were treated with AmyI-1-18 rice peptide or its arginine-substituted analog, G12R, under anaerobic conditions. The amount of biofilm was evaluated by crystal violet staining. The integrity of the bacteria cytoplasmic membrane was studied in a propidium iodide (PI) stain assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: Both AmyI-1-18 and G12R inhibited biofilm formation of P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum; in particular, G12R inhibited F. nucleatum at lower concentrations. However, neither peptide eradicated established biofilms significantly. According to the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration against P. gingivalis, AmyI-1-18 has bacteriostatic properties and G12R has bactericidal activity, and both peptides showed bactericidal activity against F. nucleatum. PI staining and TEM analysis indicated that membrane disruption by G12R was enhanced, which suggests that the replacement amino acid reinforced the electostatic interaction between the peptide and bacteria by increase of cationic charge and α-helix content. CONCLUSIONS: Rice peptide inhibited biofilm formation of P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, and bactericidal activity via membrane destruction was enhanced by amino acid substitution.

Epithelial TRPV1 channels: Expression, function, and pathogenicity in the oral cavity.

BACKGROUND: The oral cavity serves as an entrance to the body and is therefore exposed to various exogenous stimuli, including mechanical forces, chemical agents, and bacterial components. The oral mucosa responds to these stimuli to maintain homeostasis and good oral health. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) ion channel functions as an environment-sensing protein and is involved in a wide variety of cellular responses. Recent studies have revealed that epithelial TRPV1 ion channels in the oral cavity play pivotal roles in several pathophysiological conditions. In this review, we summarize the features of epithelial TRPV1 channels in the oral cavity and focus on their cellular function and pathogenicity with reference to related findings in other organs and tissues. HIGHLIGHT: TRPV1 channels are widely expressed in epithelial cells in the oral cavity and play pivotal roles in fundamental cellular processes and disease progression. CONCLUSION: This review suggests that oral epithelial TRPV1 contributes to several cellular functions such as cell proliferation, barrier function, and inflammation. Further understanding of the characteristics of epithelial TRPV1 in the oral cavity may provide new insights into the prevention or treatment of diseases.

A bacterial metabolite induces Nrf2-mediated anti-oxidative responses in gingival epithelial cells by activating the MAPK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress, which is defined as an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems, has been implicated in the development and/or progression of several inflammatory diseases, including periodontal disease. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the primary inducers of oxidative stress. In the induction of cytoprotective enzymes, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling in antioxidant systems takes a main role. Notably, 10-oxo-trans-11-octadecenoic acid (KetoC), known as a bioactive metabolite generated by intestinal microorganisms, has been reported to have beneficial effects on several biological responses. Therefore, we investigated the antioxidant effect of KetoC on gingival epithelial cells (GECs) in this present study. METHODS: An SV40-T antigen-transformed human gingival epithelial cell line (Epi4) was used for experiments. The alteration of anti-oxidative stress related genes was analyzed by qPCR. The cellular ROS levels were evaluated by flow cytometry. To explore its molecular mechanisms, ARE promotor activity was analyzed by luciferase assay; the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) were evaluated by Western blotting and luciferase assay, respectively. RESULTS: KetoC significantly increased the expression of antioxidant-related genes in GECs. The level of ROS was significantly inhibited by the pretreatment of KetoC. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation by KetoC promoted both the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and its binding to the ARE in GECs. Further, GPR120 regulated the activation of KetoC induced-Nrf2-ARE signaling. CONCLUSION: KetoC exerts a protective function against the oxidative stress in GECs through GPR120-dependent ERK-Nrf2-ARE signaling.

Gingival epithelial barrier: regulation by beneficial and harmful microbes.

The gingival epithelium acts as a physical barrier to separate the biofilm from the gingival tissue, providing the first line of defense against bacterial invasion in periodontal disease. Disruption of the gingival epithelial barrier, and the subsequent penetration of exogenous pathogens into the host tissues, triggers an inflammatory response, establishing chronic infection. Currently, more than 700 different bacterial species have been identified in the oral cavity, some of which are known to be periodontopathic. These bacteria contribute to epithelial barrier dysfunction in the gingiva by producing several virulence factors. However, some bacteria in the oral cavity appear to be beneficial, helping gingival epithelial cells maintain their integrity and barrier function. This review aims to discuss current findings regarding microorganism interactions and epithelial barrier function in the oral cavity, with reference to investigations in the gut, where this interaction has been extensively studied.