Methods: HTR-8, extravillous trophoblast cells, were incubated with P. gingivalis 33277 strain at a MOI of 200. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by FACS. Activation of DNA damage response pathways was determined by western blotting.
Results: DNA damage was associated with increased expression of phospho-ATR, phospho-Chk2, phospho-p53 by P. gingivalis. In addition, G1 arrest and apoptosis were observed with p53-sustained expression during P. gingivalis infection. Ets1, transcription factor that plays a role in apoptosis, was expressed and led to G1 arrest and apoptosis following P. gingivalis infection.
Conclusions: These results suggest that P. gingivalis activates DNA damage signaling pathways that lead to G1 arrest and apoptosis in HTR-8 cells.