Relationship between Porphyromonas gingivalis outer membrane vesicles and Alzheimer’s disease: a review

Abstract:

Porphyromonas gingivalis, the main pathogen of periodontitis, can produce various virulence factors. P. gingivalis and its virulence factors not only destroy periodontal tissue but also spread to the whole body and affect the occurrence and development of various systemic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The outer membrane vesicles of P. gingivalis contain a large number of virulence factors of the species, and they are small in size and more easily distributed to remote tissues and organs. Recent studies have found that the outer membrane vesicles may play an important role in inducing neuroinflammation and promoting the occurrence and development of AD. However, the specific mechanism is still unclear. This article reviews the occurrence and regulation of P. gingivalis outer membrane vesicles, the main virulence factors in the vesicles, and their relationship with AD, which is expected to clarify the biological mechanisms of periodontitis and AD.