How a Bacterial Protein Helps Prevotella intermedia Avoid Immune Attack
Author Information
Author(s): Potempa Michal, Potempa Jan, Kantyka Tomasz, Nguyen Ky-Anh, Wawrzonek Katarzyna, Manandhar Surya P., Popadiak Katarzyna, Riesbeck Kristian, Eick Sigrun, Blom Anna M.
Primary Institution: Lund University, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section of Medical Protein Chemistry, University Hospital Malmö, Malmö, Sweden
Hypothesis
Does interpain A from Prevotella intermedia inhibit the complement system by degrading complement factor C3?
Conclusion
Interpain A from Prevotella intermedia significantly reduces the bactericidal activity of human serum by degrading complement factor C3.
Supporting Evidence
- Interpain A was found to be present in 75% of aggressive periodontitis samples and 81% of chronic periodontitis samples.
- Interpain A significantly inhibited the classical and alternative pathways of the complement system.
- Addition of a cysteine protease inhibitor enhanced the killing of interpain A-producing strains by human serum.
Takeaway
A protein made by a bacteria called Prevotella intermedia helps it survive by breaking down a part of our immune system that usually kills bacteria.
Methodology
The study used PCR to detect the inpA gene in subgingival plaque samples and assessed the effect of interpain A on the complement system through various assays.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in sample selection and the specificity of PCR assays.
Limitations
The study did not quantify the exact levels of interpain A in gingival crevicular fluid.
Participant Demographics
Patients with chronic and aggressive periodontitis.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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