Adv Exp Med Biol
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The anaerobic bacteria P. gingivalis has been implicated as a primary causative agent in adult periodontitis. Several proteinases are produced by this bacteria and it is suggested that they contribute to virulence and to local tissue injury resulting from infection by P. gingivalis. Collagenases and cysteine proteinases (i.e., the gingipains) have been characterized as the predominant vesicular enzymes produced by this bacterium. ⋯ The concept of anti-bacterial responses (i.e., oxygen radical generation and phagocytosis) being effectively eliminated at the injury site, by bacterial proteinases acting at the cellular receptor level, has not been studied in detail. In this case, the situation is particularly unusual because, once the bacterial gingipains generate potent plasma-derived inflammatory factors that can enhance edema and deliver essential nutrients to the bactgeria, other bacterial proteinases may destsroy their cellular receptors. These receptors transmit the signal activation mechanisms in the infiltrating cells that elicit bacterial killing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)