Maintaining barrier function of infected gingival epithelial cells by inhibition of DNA methylation
Authors
Silvana P. Barros, Eman Hefni, Farahnaz Fahimipour, Steven Kim, Payal Arora
Institution
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Country
United States
Year
2020
Journal
Journal of Peridontology
Abstract
Infection and inflammation induce epigenetic changes that alter gene expression. In periodontal disease, inflammation, and microbial dysbiosis occur, which can lead to compromised barrier function of the gingival epithelia. Here, we tested the hypotheses that infection of cultured human gingival epithelial (HGEp) cells with Porphyromonas gingivalis disrupts barrier function by inducing epigenetic alterations and that these effects can be blocked by inhibitors of DNA methylation.Pathogenic infection induced changes in DNA methylation and impaired the barrier function of cultured primary gingival epithelial cells, which suggests a mechanism for systemic consequences of periodontal disease. Inhibition of these events by non-nucleoside DNMT inhibitors represents a potential strategy to treat periodontal disease.