THE ROLE OF PORPHYROMONAS GINGIVALIS OUTER MEMBRANE VESICLE BIOGENESIS IN VIRULENCE AND IMMUNOMODULATION

Abstract

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a keystone pathogen in chronic periodontitis. This bacterium exists as part of a biofilm on the surface of the tooth and selectively packages enzymes, toxins and antigens on to vesicles that penetrate host tissue and cause the inflammatory response that is associated with disease progression. In this study we will determine the host response to vesicles and determine the role of a specific protein in vesicle biogenesis.