-Induced RASA4 Upregulation Mediates Cytoskeletal Dysfunction and MMP-2 Activity in Periodontal Fibroblasts.

The periodontal complex consists of the periodontal ligament (PDL), alveolar bone, and cementum, which work together to turn mechanical load into biological responses that are responsible for maintaining a homeostatic environment. However oral microbes, under conditions of dysbiosis, may challenge the actin dynamic properties of the PDL in the context of periodontal disease. To study this process, we examined host-microbial interactions in the context of the periodontium molecular and functional cell assays and showed that human PDL cell interactions with induce actin depolymerization through a novel actin reorganization signaling mechanism.