Effect of <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> outer membrane vesicles on renal tubule epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Porphyromonas gingivalis is the main pathogenic factor of periodontitis. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global epidemic that affects about 10% of the world's population. Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is the common pathway of progression from CKD to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). During the development of RIF, renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs), as the most vulnerable intrinsic cells of the kidney, can be transformed into myofibroblasts through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). P. gingivalis outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) can reach deep tissues and activate host inflammatory response. Several studies have shown that P. gingivalis can increase kidney inflammation and immunosuppression through complex mechanisms, induce renal insufficiency, and affect CKD development. However, there are few reports about P. gingivalis OMVs and EMT. Our study found that P. gingivalis OMVs can aggravate renal dysfunction, tubulointerstitial disease, and RIF and may further aggravate EMT by regulating the expression of β-catenin and Snail1. Therefore, this finding provides a new strategy for preventing CKD/EMT from the perspective of treating periodontitis.