Virulence factors of the components of Porphyromona gingivalis: A narrative review

Abstract

The oral cavity is an ecosystem where there are more than 700 species of bacteria, in which the surfaces of the teeth, soft tissues, and even prostheses offer ecological niches for the colonization of microorganisms. Periodontal disease is characterized by chronic inflammation and the progressive destruction of the supporting tissues of the tooth. These periodontal pathogenic bacteria include Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema species, Prevotella species, Selenomonas, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Filifactor alocis, Synergistetes species, to name a few. P. gingivalis is a member of a triad belonging to the red complex, according to Socransky's classification, and which is considered a key element in terms of the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. P. gingivalis has different virulence factors through which it can adhere to and invade the cells and tissues of the host and induce an immuno-inflammatory response that can destroy the periodontal insertion, where we can find some of its components such as lipopolysaccharides, fimbriae, heat shock proteins, etc. and secretory components such as gingipains, outer membrane vesicles, and hemagglutinins.