# Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics approach to define pathogenicity of P.gingivalis

> **NIH NIH R03** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2020 · $152,500

## Abstract

Project abstract
Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a gram-negative asaccharolytic anaerobe, is a major causative pathogen of
chronic periodontitis. Pg not only causes tooth loss, but is also associated with increased risk for other systemic
diseases such as atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells provide an interface for the systemic dissemination of Pg. Pg
evades endothelial cell defenses and persist within endothelial cells, thereby allowing chronic infections like
periodontal disease and systemic diseases to develop. Pg persistence can also leads to endothelial dysfunction
resulting in impaired inflammatory signals and atherosclerosis. Hence, it is critical to understand the
mechanisms of Pg infection of endothelial cells. Our central hypothesis is that Pg invades endothelial cells and
evades host defenses by regulating its gene expression and metabolic requirements to survive within endothelial
cells. To test this hypothesis, we propose to employ an innovative approach of integrating transcriptomics and
metabolomics to better understand the pathogenic nature of Pg and its interaction with the endothelial cells. This
comprehensive approach of combining dual RNA-seq and metabolomics data will identify significant gene-
metabolite integrated networks that are unique to Pg infection of endothelial cells. Consequently, these studies
will define those metabolic changes that occur during intracellular adaptation and survival of Pg and provide
much needed fundamental insights into periodontal disease and systemic diseases associated with Pg. In order
to achieve this goal, we propose the following specific aims. Aim 1: To determine and compare the RNA
expression patterns of P. gingivalis (W83, W83Δ0717 & W83Δ0717::0717) and host cells (HMVEC and HCAEC)
during the invasion and persistence states. Aim 2: To define the metabolomic changes that occur during the
invasion and persistence states of P. gingivalis (W83, W83Δ0717 & W83Δ0717::0717) in HMVEC and HCAEC
cells. These studies will be the first to characterize the mRNA and metabolite patterns of both Pg and host cells
during pathogenesis. The expected outcome of this work is a comprehensive understanding of what molecular
mechanism(s) specific to gene-metabolite networks Pg utilizes during invasion and persistence states. The
successful completion of the proposed studies will lay the groundwork for developing effective treatment
strategies to prevent PD and its associated systemic diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9978266
- **Project number:** 1R03DE028968-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Sasanka S Chukkapalli
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $152,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-03-01 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9978266

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9978266, Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics approach to define pathogenicity of P.gingivalis (1R03DE028968-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9978266. Licensed CC0.

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