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.
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.
The PTM-group is lead by Piotr Mydel.