Porphyromonas gingivalis invades osteoblasts and inhibits bone formation

Porphyromonas gingivalis is etiologically associated with adult periodontitis, but it is unclear how P. gingivalis long-term interactions with bone cells contribute to this disease. This study investigates P. gingivalis interactions with osteoblasts over an extended time course. A primary mouse calvarial osteoblast culture was established and inoculated with P. gingivalis 33277 repeatedly every other day for up to four weeks. Invasion of osteoblasts by P. gingivalis, and the resulting effects on the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts were evaluated. P. gingivalis was found to invade osteoblasts in a dose-dependent manner, and repetitive inoculation increased the percentage of osteoblasts with internalized P. gingivalis. P. gingivalis did not affect osteoblast proliferation, but inhibited their differentiation and mineralization, partially via an inhibition of the differentiation regulatory transcription factors Cbfa-1 and osterix. In conclusion, P. gingivalis invades osteoblasts and inhibits bone formation, which likely contributes to alveolar bone loss in chronic periodontitis.