H-NS promotes biofilm formation and alters protein dynamics of other species within a polymicrobial oral biofilm.

is a Gram-negative organism, strongly associated with aggressive forms of periodontitis. An important virulence property of is its ability to form tenacious biofilms that can attach to abiotic as well as biotic surfaces. The histone-like (H-NS) family of nucleoid-structuring proteins act as transcriptional silencers in many Gram-negative bacteria.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans outer membrane vesicles are internalized in human host cells and trigger NOD1- and NOD2-dependent NF-κB activation.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is an oral and systemic pathogen associated with aggressive forms of periodontitis and with endocarditis. We recently demonstrated that outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) disseminated by A. actinomycetemcomitans could deliver multiple proteins, including biologically active cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), into the cytosol of HeLa cells and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF).

Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin-dependent induction of host cell death by membrane-derived vesicles.

Staphylococcus aureus causes a wide spectrum of infections in humans, ranging from superficial cutaneous infections, infections in the circum-oral region, to life-threatening bacteremia. It was recently demonstrated that Gram-positive organisms such as S. aureus liberate membrane-derived vesicles (MVs), which analogously to outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Gram-negative bacteria can play a role in delivering virulence factors to host cells.

Enhanced capture of extramembranous IgM and IgG on B cells in the NOD mouse--implications for immune complex trapping.

Binding of various antibody isotypes to B cells through either FcgammaRs or complement receptors has been attributed to play several roles, e.g. in immune complex (IC) transportation and regulation of B cell receptor signaling.

Proinflammatory effect in whole blood by free soluble bacterial components released from planktonic and biofilm cells.

Background: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is an oral bacterium associated with aggressive forms of periodontitis. Increasing evidence points to a link between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases, however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This study investigated the pathogenic potential of free-soluble surface material, released from live planktonic and biofilm A.