Transcription-based comparison of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans or Porphyromonas gingivalis -induced experimental periodontitis

Abstract

Periodontitis is the most common osteolytic disease in humans, significantly affecting oral health and worsening various systemic inflammatory conditions. Specific bacteria, such as A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis , are frequently found in severe cases. This highlights the need to implement advanced methodologies to understand their underlying pathogenic mechanisms. We used massive RNA-seq to analyze, for the first time, the complete palatal mucosa of animals affected by, or not affected by, experimental periodontitis induced by the most virulent serotypes of both bacterial species. Our findings reveal that these bacteria explore distinct molecular pathways to induce disease. Despite their phylogenetic differences and distinctive virulence factors, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis activate common transcriptional regulators that promote periodontitis progression, suggesting conserved molecular mechanisms underlying periodontal destruction. These results provide valuable information for developing therapeutic strategies to modulate these regulatory nodes and improve treatment outcomes in periodontitis and other related inflammatory conditions.