This study on mice marks the first documented case in microbiology of a keystone pathogen (a low-abundance species that has disproportionate influence on its environment), catalyzing the onset of an oral disease.
Porphyromonas gingivalis attacks front-line immune cells in the subgingival crevice, and reprograms them to create living conditions conducive to P. gingivalis growth. As more reprogrammed immune cells disrupt host-microbial homeostasis, the changed cells increase in number and infect the periodontium.
The next step is to test human subjects. If the same results are found, researchers have targeted drugs that may be applied topically to the affected tooth, providing a more targeted approach to prevent and/or treat periodontitis.
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