Objective: To evaluate pathogenic effect of the collagen-binding proteins(CBP) of human oral spirochetes.
Methods: Immunoblot analysis, immunoelectron microscopy and other experiments had been used.
Results: It was showed that: type I, IV and V CBP were detected in heated and unheated preparations from Treponema denticola(Td) ATCC 33520 and Treponema socranskii (Ts) ATCC 35534. Few CBP, however, were detected in heated and unheated preparations from a recently characterized isloate, Treponema medium(Tm) strain G7201. 27,000 type V CBP of Td, 110,000 type I of Ts and 95,000 type IV of Tm were located on the envelopes of the individual cells. The adherence of Td to the collagen-coated surface was significantly greater than that of Tm.
Conclusion: The CBP on the oral spirochetal cells play an important role in their adherence to collagen-rich connective tissues of the host.