L-arginine-dependent nitric oxide production of a murine macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cell line stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide

The aim of this study was to determine nitric oxide (NO) production of a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7 cells) when stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharides (Pg-LPS). RAW 264.7 cells were incubated with i) various concentrations of Pg-LPS or Salmonella typhosa LPS (St-LPS), ii) Pg-LPS with or without L-arginine and/or NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), an arginine analog or iii) Pg-LPS and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) with or without anti-IFN-gamma antibodies or interleukin-10 (IL-10). Tissue culture supernatants were assayed for NO levels after 24 h in culture. NO was not observed in tissue culture supernatants of RAW 264.7 cells following stimulation with Pg-LPS, but was observed after stimulation with St-LPS. Exogenous L-arginine restored the ability of Pg-LPS to induce NO production; however, the increase in NO levels of cells stimulated with Pg-LPS with exogenous L-arginine was abolished by NMMA. IFN-gamma induced independent NO production by Pg-LPS-stimulated macrophages and this stimulatory effect of IFN-gamma could be completely suppressed by anti-IFN-gamma antibodies and IL-10. These results suggest that Pg-LPS is able to stimulate NO production in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell model in an L-arginine-dependent mechanism which is itself independent of the action of IFN-gamma.     

NO production in RAW264 cells stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis extracellular vesicles

Oral Diseases (2010) 17 , 83–89 Objective: This experiment was carried out in order to prove the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and the nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse macrophage cells (RAW264) which were stimulated by vesicles released from Porphyromonas gingivalis, and discussed about the role of vesicles in advance periodontal diseases. Materials and Methods: Production of NO₂^? in RAW264 cells was investigated after 0, 1, 3, 6 and 12 h of stimulation with P. gingivalis vesicles. NO was analyzed by HPLC‐based flow reactor system with Griess reagent. The cells stained by the enzyme‐labeled antibody method, after being stimulated with vesicles for 12 h. The iNOS proteins, which were expressed in RAW264 cells after 12 h of stimulation with vesicles, were detected by western blot. Results: When stimulated with vesicles from W83 and from ATCC33277, the RAW264 cells produced NO, but cell proteins that came in contact with the vesicles were degraded by protease activities in vesicles. When stimulated with vesicles from gingipain‐deficient mutant strain KDP136, the RAW264 cells produced NO, but the quality was about 60%, compared with the vesicles from ATCC33277. Conclusion: The results suggest that vesicles are not only just a part of bacterial component, but also are a toxic complex of lipopolysaccharide and protease, and one of the putative virulence factor for periodontal diseases that continue inflammation and cause chronic conditions.     

Porphyromonas gingivalis stimulates the release of nitric oxide by inducing expression of inducible nitric oxide synthases and inhibiting endothelial nitric oxide synthases

Sun W, Wu J, Lin L, Huang Y, Chen Q, Ji Y. Porphyromonas gingivalis stimulates the release of nitric oxide by inducing expression of inducible nitric oxide synthases and inhibiting endothelial nitric oxide synthases. J Periodont Res 2010; 45: 381–388. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Munksgaard Background and Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of Porphyromonas gingivalis to invade human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to study the effects of P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in HUVECs. We attempted to throw light on the pathway of damage to endothelial function induced by P. gingivalis ATCC 33277. Material and Methods: P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 was cultured anaerobically, and HUVECs were treated with P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 at multiplicities of infection of 1:10 or 1:100 for 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. HUVECs were observed using an inverted microscope and transmission electron microscopy. NO production was assayed through measuring the accumulation of nitrite in culture supernatants. Expression of both iNOS and eNOS proteins was investigated through western blotting. Results: It was found that P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 can adhere to HUVECs by fimbriae, invade into HUVECs and exist in the cytoplasm and vacuoles. P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 can induce iNOS and inhibit eNOS expression, and stimulate the release of NO without any additional stimulant. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 can invade HUVECs, and the ability of P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 to promote the production of NO may be important in endothelial dysfunction, suggesting that P. gingivalis ATCC 33277may be one of the pathogens responsible for atherosclerosis.     

Nitric oxide production by a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

The aim of this study was to determine whether Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (LPS-A. actinomycetemcomitans) could stimulate a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells) to produce nitric oxide (NO). The cells were treated with LPS-A. actinomycetemcomitans or Escherichia coli LPS (LPS-Ec) for 24 h. The effects of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), polymyxin B and cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-12) on the production of NO were also determined. The role of protein tyrosine kinase, protein kinase C and microtubulin organization on NO production were assessed by incubating RAW264.7 cells with genistein, bisindolylmaleide and colchicine prior to LPS-A. actinomycetemcomitans stimulation, respectively. NO levels from the culture supernatants were determined by the Griess reaction. The results showed that LPS-A. actinomycetemcomitans stimulated NO production by RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but was slightly less potent than LPS-Ec. NMMA and polymyxin B blocked the production of NO. IFN-gamma and IL-12 potentiated but IL-4 depressed NO production by LPS-A. actinomycetemcomitans-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. TNF-alpha had no effects on NO production. Genistein and bisindolylmalemaide, but not colchicine, reduced the production of NO in a dose-dependent mechanism. The results of the present study suggest that A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS, via the activation of protein tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C and the regulatory control of cytokines, stimulates NO production by murine macrophages.     

Arginase activity in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to determine whether or not lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans could stimulate arginase activity in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells). METHODS: RAW264.7 cells were treated with A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide or lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli for 24 h. The effect of polymyxin B, l-norvaline, dl-norvaline, dexamethasone and cytokines (interferon-gamma and interleukin-4) on arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells was also determined. The cells were pretreated with anti-CD14, anti -toll-like receptor 2, or anti-toll-like receptor 4 antibody prior to stimulation with A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide. Arginase activity was determined by a colorimetric assay. RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide stimulated arginase activity in RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but was less potent than E. coli-lipopolysaccharide. Polymyxin B and l-norvaline, but not dl-norvaline, blocked the arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. Dexamethasone and interleukin-4 but not interferon-gamma augmented arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. Treatment of the cells with anti-CD14 and anti-toll-like receptor 4 but not anti-toll-like receptor 2 antibody decreased arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that lipopolysaccharide from A. actinomycetemcomitans via CD14/toll-like receptor 4 complex molecules and the regulatory control of glucocorticoid and cytokines may stimulate arginase activity in RAW264.7 cells.     

The role of cyclic‐AMP on arginase activity by a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) on arginase activity in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Materials and methods: The cells were treated with A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS for 24 h. The effects of SQ22536 (an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor), ODQ (a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor), dibutyryl cAMP (a cAMP analog), 8‐bromo cyclic guanosine monophosphate (a cGMP analog), forskolin (an adenylyl cylase activator), and cycloheximide (a protein synthesis inhibitor) on arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells were also determined. Arginase activity was assessed in LPS‐stimulated cells in the presence of 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX), siguazodan and rolipram [phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors] as well as KT5720 [a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor]. Results: Arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells was suppressed by SQ22536 but not ODQ. Enhancement of arginase activity was observed in the presence of cAMP analog or forskolin but not cGMP analog. Cycloheximide blocked arginase activity in the cells in the presence of cAMP analog or forskolin with or without A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS. IBMX augmented arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS‐stimulated cells. Rolipram (a PDE4 inhibitor) increased the levels of arginase activity higher than siguazodan (a PDE3 inhibitor) in the antigen‐stimulated cells. The effect of cAMP analog or forskolin on arginase activity in the presence or absence of A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS was blocked by the PKA inhibitor (KT5720). Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS may stimulate arginase activity in murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) in a cAMP‐PKA‐dependent pathway.     

Chronic ingestion of Porphyromonas gingivalis induces systemic nitric oxide response in mice

Introduction:  Porphyromonas gingivalis induces nitric oxide (NO) production in various cells, systemic NO elevation being expected in chronic oral challenge.
Methods:  Groups of BALB/c mice were inoculated orally with either live P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 or sterile broth on days 0, 2 and 4, with or without later administration of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor 1400W. Plasma and tissues were harvested on day 42 for assays of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitrite and nitrate (NOx) and tissue NO, or histology and iNOS immunohistochemistry.
Results:  No signs of gingivitis were observed, but plasma NOx was significantly elevated ( P  = 0.028) as was TNF-α ( P  = 0.079) in P. gingivalis -inoculated animals compared with controls, NOx being reduced when 1400W was used. NO production in organs showed a similar trend, with significant elevation in liver ( P  = 0.017) and kidneys ( P  = 0.027), whereas concomitant treatment of inoculated animals with 1400W caused significant reductions in NO in aorta ( P  = 0.008) and kidneys ( P  = 0.046). Sham-inoculated 1400W-treated animals had significantly increased plasma NOx ( P  = 0.004) and liver NO ( P  = 0.04). NOx in plasma correlated significantly with NO production in lungs (0.35, P  = 0.032) and kidneys (0.47, P  = 0.003). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated iNOS activity in many tissues in all groups.
Conclusion:  Repeated oral administration of P. gingivalis induced systemic NO and NOx production in mice, probably by activating iNOS as suggested by the response to 1400W.     

牙龈卟啉单胞菌对人脐静脉内皮细胞一氧化氮生成的影响

目的 观察牙龈卟啉单胞茵(Porphyromonas gingivalis,Pg)对人脐静脉内皮细胞皮细胞功能损伤的途径,以期为牙周病在动脉粥样硬化发病机制中的作用提供依据.方法 应用厌氧罐培养Pg ATCC33277,用感染复数(multiplicity of infection,MOI)1:10、1:100、1:1000的Pg干预HUVEC,未受Pg干预的HUVEC作为阴性对照组,分别于4、8、12、24 h时收集细胞上清液,利用硝酸还原酶法测定细胞上清液中NO的浓度.结果 在24 h内,Pg MOI 1:10、1:100均能促进HUVEC NO的生成,与阴性对照组相比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);Pg MOI 1:1000干预HUVEC后,12 h内可促进HUVEC NO的生成,但与阴性对照组相比差异无统计学意义,24 h时HUVEC NO的生成降低[(57.83±9.09)mmol/L],与其他各组相比差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 Pg对内皮细胞NO的生成有影响.Pg MOI 1:10、1:100能够促进内皮细胞NO的生成,Pg MOI 1:1000则抑制内皮细胞NO的生成.     

The role of cyclic-AMP on arginase activity by a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to determine the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) on arginase activity in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cells were treated with A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS for 24 h. The effects of SQ22536 (an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor), ODQ (a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor), dibutyryl cAMP (a cAMP analog), 8-bromo cyclic guanosine monophosphate (a cGMP analog), forskolin (an adenylyl cylase activator), and cycloheximide (a protein synthesis inhibitor) on arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were also determined. Arginase activity was assessed in LPS-stimulated cells in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), siguazodan and rolipram [phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors] as well as KT5720 [a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor]. RESULTS: Arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells was suppressed by SQ22536 but not ODQ. Enhancement of arginase activity was observed in the presence of cAMP analog or forskolin but not cGMP analog. Cycloheximide blocked arginase activity in the cells in the presence of cAMP analog or forskolin with or without A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS. IBMX augmented arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS-stimulated cells. Rolipram (a PDE4 inhibitor) increased the levels of arginase activity higher than siguazodan (a PDE3 inhibitor) in the antigen-stimulated cells. The effect of cAMP analog or forskolin on arginase activity in the presence or absence of A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS was blocked by the PKA inhibitor (KT5720). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS may stimulate arginase activity in murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) in a cAMP-PKA-dependent pathway.     

Effects of cytokines on Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced opsonophagocytosis of a murine macrophage cell line

A murine macrophage cell line was incubated with opsonized Porphyromonas gingivalis and various concentrations of rIFN-gamma, rIL-4 and rIL-10. The number of phagocyted cells were microscopically assessed. The results showed that IFN-gamma upregulated macrophage phagocytosis to this periodontopathogen, and the upregulatory effects was abolished by anti-IFN-gamma antibodies. Neither IL-4 nor IL-10 had any effects on opsonophagocytosis by this cell line. These results suggest that up-regulatory functions of IFN-gamma on phagocytic activities of macrophages may play a crucial role in the induction of immune response to P. gingivalis.     

Nitric oxide production by a human osteoblast cell line stimulated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide

Background/aim:  Human osteoblasts induced by inflammatory stimuli express an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide stimulates the production of nitric oxide (NO) by a human osteoblast-like cell line (HOS cells).
Methods:  Cells were stimulated directly with A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide or pretreated with the following l -NIL (an iNOS inhibitor), anti-CD14, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), or TLR4 antibody before stimulation with A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide. The role of the cyclic nucleotides was assessed by pretreating the cells with the following; ODQ (a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor); SQ22536 (an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor); db-cAMP (a cyclic adenosine monophosphate analog); br-cGMP (a cyclic guanosine monophosphate analog); forskolin (an adenylyl cyclase activator), IBMX [a non-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor], or KT5720 [a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor]. The cells were also preincubated with genistein [a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor], bisindolylmaleimide [a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor], BPB [a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor], and NDGA (a lipoxygenase inhibitor). The iNOS activity and nitrite production in the cell cultures were determined spectrophotometrically.
Results:  The results showed that A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide stimulated both iNOS activity and nitrite production by HOS cells; this was reduced by l -NIL, anti-CD14, or anti-TLR4 antibody, SQ22536, KT5720, genistein, bisindolylmaleimde, BPB, and NDGA, but was enhanced by db-cAMP, IBMX, and forskolin.
Conclusion:  These results therefore suggest that A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide may induce the production of NO by HOS cells via a CD14–TLR4 molecule complex, a cAMP–PKA pathway, as well as by a PTK, PKC, PLA2, and lipoxygenase-dependent mechanism.     

谷氧还蛋白在牙龈卟啉单胞菌脂多糖诱导脐静脉内皮细胞氧化应激中的作用

目的 从基因和蛋白水平研究谷氧还蛋白（Grx）在牙龈卟啉单胞菌脂多糖（LPS）诱导脐静脉内皮细胞（EA-hy926细胞）时的表达变化及其对Akt通路的调控作用。方法 采用牙龈卟啉单胞菌的LPS（1 000 ng·mL^-1）对EA-hy926细胞进行不同时间段（4、12、18、24 h）的刺激诱导,采用实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应检测细胞grx1基因的表达变化;然后加入Grx特异性抑制剂氯化亚硝脲（BCNU）,使用Western blot法检测对照组、LPS组（1 000 ng·mL^-1LPS刺激12 h）和BCNU组（25 μmol·mL^-1BCNU预处理30 min+1 000 ng·mL^-1LPS刺激12 h）的Grx、Akt、磷酸化Akt蛋白的表达情况。结果 LPS诱导下,EA-hy926细胞的grx1基因表达量在各个时间段均上调,12 h时grx1表达量最高。LPS诱导12 h时,LPS组的Grx蛋白表达量较对照组明显升高（P<0.05）,而BCNU可有效抑制Grx蛋白的表达（P<0.05）;Akt蛋白表达量在各组间无明显差异（P>0.05）,而LPS组的磷酸化Akt活性升高,显著高于对照组和BCNU组（P<0.05）,与Grx蛋白的表达趋势一致。结论 LPS可以从基因和蛋白水平诱导Grx的表达;Grx是Akt的潜在调节因子,可能对LPS刺激下Akt的调控具有重要意义。     

Production of inflammatory cytokines by human gingival fibroblasts stimulated by cell‐surface preparations of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram‐negative rod associated with the progression of human periodontal disease. Inflammatory cytokines are believed to be the major pathological mediators in periodontal diseases. We therefore investigated the productions of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in human gingival fibroblasts treated with lipopolysaccharide, polysaccharide and outer‐membrane proteins from P. gingivalis ATCC 53977. Outer‐membrane protein from P. gingivalis enhanced the production of IL‐6 and IL‐8 from the cells of periodontium in vitro as well as lipopolysaccharide did. The IL‐8 production activity of polysaccharide from P. gingivalis was higher than that of other cell‐surface components. The levels of IL‐6 and IL‐8 released from the P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide‐treated human gingival fibroblasts were lower than those of the same cells treated with lipopolysaccharides from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans or Escherichia coli. Rabbit antisera against either outer‐membrane protein or lipopolysaccharide inhibited the IL‐6 and IL‐8 production derived from human gingival fibroblasts stimulated sonicated supernatants from P. gingivalis. The present study suggests that, in addition to lipopolysaccharide, outer‐membrane protein and polysaccharide of P. gingivalis are also pathological mediators in periodontal diseases.     

Porphyromonas gingivalis and its lipopolysaccharide differentially regulate the expression of cathepsin B in endothelial cells

Porphyromonas gingivalis infection and cathepsins protease upregulation are independently implicated in atherosclerosis worsening. In this study, we evaluated the effects of P. gingivalis infection and P. gingivalis -purified lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) stimulation on the expression of cathepsin B (CATB) in endothelial cells (ECs). Analysis of the enzymatic activity and expression of CATB were investigated at the messenger RNA, protein and protein-phosphorylation levels. Effects of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 blocking on CATB activity were also analysed. Our results showed that P. gingivalis and Pg-LPS significantly increased the activity of CATB but with different kinetics. The peak of CATB activity was observed 3 h after P. gingivalis infection but it appeared 48 h after Pg-LPS stimulation. The increase of CATB activity was related to its rapid tyrosine-dephosphorylation during P. gingivalis infection, whereas the levels of CATB messenger RNAs and proteins did not vary after P. gingivalis infection or Pg-LPS stimulation. Inhibition of Toll-like-receptors 2 and 4 differentially decreased P. gingivalis and Pg-LPS CATB activations. These results showed for the first time that P. gingivalis infection rapidly affects ECs and modulates CATB activity, whereas Pg-LPS effects appear to be delayed. This study suggests that direct infection of ECs by P. gingivalis may worsen atherosclerotic plaque formation via activation of the CATB pathway.     

Cytokine production induced by a 67‐kDa fimbrial protein from Porphyromonas gingivalis

Fimbriae have been reported to play an important role in the adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis to oral surfaces and possibly in triggering host responses. P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 has two distinctly different fimbriae expressed on the cell surface. The 67‐kDa fimbriae differ in size and antigenicity from the earlier reported FimA, a major 41‐kDa fimbrial component of P. gingivalis. Expression of the 67‐kDa fimbriae on the cell surface of a fimA mutant was investigated by electron microscopy. The 67‐kDa fimbrial protein was purified from the fimA mutant by sonication, precipitation, and chromatography on a DEAE Sepharose CL‐6B column. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the 67‐kDa fimbrillin was distinct from that of the 41‐kDa fimbrillin. Moreover, we have found that the 67‐kDa fimbrial protein from P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 induced IL‐1α, IL‐β, IL‐6 and TNFα cytokine expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that P. gingivalis 67‐kDa fimbriae may play a part in the inflammatory response during the development of periodontal diseases.     

Modification of experimental Porphyromonas gingivalis murine infection by immunization with a polysaccharide-protein conjugate

To better understand the role of the capsular polysaccharide in the virulence of Porphyromonas gingivalis , the effect of immunization with a polysaccharide-protein conjugate on experimental murine infection was evaluated. The conjugate was prepared using polysaccharide isolated from P. gingivalis strain ATCC 53977 and bovine scrum albumin. One group of 22 mice was immunized by intraperitoneal injection with the conjugate and a control group of 25 mice was similarly immunized with bovine serum albumin. Serum antibody reactive to the polysaccharide, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was elevated in the group of mice immunized with the polysaccharide-protein conjugate but not in the mice immunized with bovine serum albumin. Both groups of mice were challenged with P. gingivalis strain ATCC 53977 (10¹⁰ cells) administered subcutaneously on the dorsal surface. Following challenge, the mice immunized with the polysaccharide-protein conjugate appeared healthier and demonstrated less weight loss than did the control group of mice. Ulcerative lesions at secondary locations were smaller in mice immunized with the polysaccharide-protein conjugate. Thus, immunization of mice with a conjugate containing P. gingivalis polysaccharide could reduce the severity of but not prevent an invasive infection with P. gingivalis.