DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/D55G-VJ65
Defense Date
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Microbiology & Immunology
First Advisor
S. Esra Sahingur
Abstract
Periodontitis is a biofilm-initiated inflammatory disease, resulting in soft tissue damage and alveolar bone loss. A nucleic acid sensor, toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), has been recently implicated in periodontal inflammation. This study utilized an in vivo periodontitis model using TLR9 knockout (TLR9-/-) mice to assess the role of TLR9 in periodontitis. Significant bone loss was observed in wild type, but not in TLR9-/- mice. Further experiments using ex vivo assays revealed significantly higher IL-6 production in splenocytes of wild type mice compared to knockout cells in response to Porphyromonas gingivalis (a keystone pathogen for periodontitis) challenge. In conclusion, TLR9 contributes to periodontal inflammation through promoting a heightened inflammatory response. Therapeutics targeted to TLR9 may be beneficial to control periodontal disease.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
8-18-2014