Expressions Of TAS2Rs On HUVEC By The Periodontopathic Bacterial Infection

Objectives: The aim of this study was assessing the expression of bitter taste receptors (Taste receptor type 2, TAS2R) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells by the periodontopathic bacterial infection. It has been known that the relationship between maternal periodontopathic bacterial infection and preterm birth or low birth weight babies was clearly clarified. In particular, Porphyromonas gingivalis contained in the red complex species has been reported that the association with various systemic diseases. On the other hand, TAS2Rs have shown as targets on the myometrial cells in preterm labor therapy. Further, one of the TAS2Rs has been shown to be a specific bacterial detector implicated in innate immune defense mechanism. However, the effect of bacterial infection to the expression of TAS2Rs on umbilical vein endothelial cells has not been elucidated.
Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were stimulated with or without bacterial LPS (derived from Escherichia coli and P. gingivalis) for 0, 3 and 24 hours. After the stimulations, total RNA was extracted from the cells. And then, the mRNA expressions of TAS2Rs were investigated by reverse transcription real-time PCR.
Results: Various mRNAs of TAS2Rs were decreased in HUVECs stimulated with bacterial LPS for 3 hours. The kinds of mRNAs expression of TAS2Rs stimulated by P. gingivalis LPS was more than that of TAS2Rs stimulated by E. coli LPS. And the responses have been almost restored by 24 hours stimulations. However, one of the mRNA of TAS2Rs was increased significantly in 24 hours stimulation by E. coli LPS.
Conclusions: The periodontopathic bacterial infection to maternal umbilical vein endothelial cells may be involved in the preterm birth and low birth weight babies via expressions of TAS2Rs.