Alzheimer’s Disease and <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>: Exploring the Links
Recent research highlights compelling links between oral health, particularly periodontitis, and systemic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although the biological mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear, the role of periodontal pathogens, particularly <i>Porphyromo...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Ivana Shawkatova Vladimira Durmanova Juraj Javor |
| author_facet | Ivana Shawkatova Vladimira Durmanova Juraj Javor |
| author_sort | Ivana Shawkatova |
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| description | Recent research highlights compelling links between oral health, particularly periodontitis, and systemic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although the biological mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear, the role of periodontal pathogens, particularly <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>, has garnered significant attention. <i>P. gingivalis</i>, a major driver of periodontitis, is recognized for its potential systemic effects and its putative role in AD pathogenesis. This review examines evidence connecting <i>P. gingivalis</i> to hallmark AD features, such as amyloid β accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and other neuropathological features consistent with AD. Virulence factors, such as gingipains and lipopolysaccharides, were shown to be implicated in blood–brain barrier disruption, neuroinflammation, and neuronal damage. <i>P. gingivalis</i>-derived outer membrane vesicles may serve to disseminate virulence factors to brain tissues. Indirect mechanisms, including systemic inflammation triggered by chronic periodontal infections, are also supposed to exacerbate neurodegenerative processes. While the exact pathways remain uncertain, studies detecting <i>P. gingivalis</i> virulence factors and its other components in AD-affected brains support their possible role in disease pathogenesis. This review underscores the need for further investigation into <i>P. gingivalis</i>-mediated mechanisms and their interplay with host responses. Understanding these interactions could provide critical insights into novel strategies for reducing AD risk through periodontal disease management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-668b7901a56b4b96b218962a4b918500 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj-art-668b7901a56b4b96b218962a4b9185002025-01-24T13:38:46ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-01-011519610.3390/life15010096Alzheimer’s Disease and <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>: Exploring the LinksIvana Shawkatova0Vladimira Durmanova1Juraj Javor2Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odborarske nam. 14, 811 08 Bratislava, SlovakiaInstitute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odborarske nam. 14, 811 08 Bratislava, SlovakiaInstitute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odborarske nam. 14, 811 08 Bratislava, SlovakiaRecent research highlights compelling links between oral health, particularly periodontitis, and systemic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although the biological mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear, the role of periodontal pathogens, particularly <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>, has garnered significant attention. <i>P. gingivalis</i>, a major driver of periodontitis, is recognized for its potential systemic effects and its putative role in AD pathogenesis. This review examines evidence connecting <i>P. gingivalis</i> to hallmark AD features, such as amyloid β accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and other neuropathological features consistent with AD. Virulence factors, such as gingipains and lipopolysaccharides, were shown to be implicated in blood–brain barrier disruption, neuroinflammation, and neuronal damage. <i>P. gingivalis</i>-derived outer membrane vesicles may serve to disseminate virulence factors to brain tissues. Indirect mechanisms, including systemic inflammation triggered by chronic periodontal infections, are also supposed to exacerbate neurodegenerative processes. While the exact pathways remain uncertain, studies detecting <i>P. gingivalis</i> virulence factors and its other components in AD-affected brains support their possible role in disease pathogenesis. This review underscores the need for further investigation into <i>P. gingivalis</i>-mediated mechanisms and their interplay with host responses. Understanding these interactions could provide critical insights into novel strategies for reducing AD risk through periodontal disease management.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/1/96Alzheimer’s diseasegingipainsoral pathogenpathogenesisperiodontitis<i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> |
| spellingShingle | Ivana Shawkatova Vladimira Durmanova Juraj Javor Alzheimer’s Disease and <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>: Exploring the Links Life Alzheimer’s disease gingipains oral pathogen pathogenesis periodontitis <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> |
| title | Alzheimer’s Disease and <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>: Exploring the Links |
| title_full | Alzheimer’s Disease and <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>: Exploring the Links |
| title_fullStr | Alzheimer’s Disease and <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>: Exploring the Links |
| title_full_unstemmed | Alzheimer’s Disease and <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>: Exploring the Links |
| title_short | Alzheimer’s Disease and <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>: Exploring the Links |
| title_sort | alzheimer s disease and i porphyromonas gingivalis i exploring the links |
| topic | Alzheimer’s disease gingipains oral pathogen pathogenesis periodontitis <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/1/96 |
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