Objective: To study the effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) on the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cell and to identify the role of Pg in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Methods: A cell culture model of vascular endothelial cell treated by Pg was used in vitro. The cells' ability of proliferation was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, and cell cycle and the percentage of apoptosis with or without Pg invasion were examined by flow cytometry.
Results: Invasion of Pg could inhibit the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells at 72 h (F = 786.68, P < 0.01), and induce apoptosis at 24 h (F = 1074.56, P < 0.01). In addition, the cell cycle was arrested at G1 phase by the invasion of Pg W83 at 24 h (F = 43.23, P < 0.01) and ATCC 33277 at 48 h (F = 66.72, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: Pg may aggregate the inflammation of the vascular endothelial cells through induction of apoptosis, which could be one of the pathologic mechanisms in atherosclerosis.