Piotr Mydel Group

Background

Taking into account that up to 30% of the adult population worldwide suffers from severe periodontitis, the impact of this disease on human health is immense. Periodontitis (PD) is largely caused by infection, in which Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major pathogen, and is the most prevalent infectious inflammatory disease of mankind.

Mounting evidence suggests a causative link between PD and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. P. gingivalis is the only bacterium expressing the enzyme peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) which converts arginine to citrulline, a process referred to as citrullination. Antibodies torwards such citrullinated proteins, i.e ACPAs/aCCP, are of central importance in RA a chronic autoimmune disease which affect 0.5-1% worldwide. The presence of ACPAs or aCCP autoantibodies is not only highly specific for RA but the presence is also related to a more severe and destructive disease progression.

We hypothesise that anti-citrullinated protein antibodies can be generated, in genetically susceptible individuals, as a consequence of P.gingivalis-induced citrullination in the gingiva.

As a part of the PTM group, Marta Kamińska is focused on the effects of the post-translational modifications (such as carbamylation, citrullination) on the functionality of modified proteins and peptides and the effect it might have in the initiation of the systemic diseases: from the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system/kinin-kallikrein system and their role in the development of co-morbidities associated with chronic kidney disease, to the characterisation of the deiminating activity (human PAD, bacterial PPAD enzymes) in inflammatory states (periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis). Urszula Kałucka's research project aims to delineate the effect of the uremic conditions (during chronic kidney disease) on the functionality of blood vessels as a factor linking higher CVD incidence in CKD patients. Noemie Dudzinska investigates the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis and its virulence factors on the nervous system, aiming to mechanistically link the incidence of periodontitis and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

We believe that through interdisciplinary cooperation with medical and dental clinicians, epidemiologists, bio-scientists, industrial scientists, media and commercialization specialists, we will have the best opportunity to achieve our goals.

PTM in the media

"Brushing your teeth may stall Alzheimer’s, lower blood pressure" (2019) - https://nypost.com/2019/06/04/brushing-your-teeth-may-stall-alzheimers-lower-blood-pressure/

"Brush your teeth – Postpone Alzheimer´s" (2019) - https://www.uib.no/en/med/127507/brush-your-teeth-%E2%80%93-postpone-alzheimer%C2%B4s

PL "Mycie zębów może uchronić przed chorobą Alzheimera" (2019) - https://sekretynauki.pl/medycyna/mycie-zebow-moze-uchronic-choroba-alzheimera/ (Polish)

Dårlige tenner øker faren for leddgikt (BT)- https://www.bt.no/nyheter/lokalt/i/l40nk/daarlige-tenner-oeker-faren-for...

Dårlig tannpuss kan gi leddgikt- https://www.ba.no/nyheter/darlig-tannpuss-kan-gi-leddgikt/s/1-41-6043800

Scientific TV programme Schrödingers Katt, channel: NRK  https://www.dropbox.com/s/gvb1j367p76nco1/Tenner%207%20nov%20FJK-800.mp4?dl=0