Porphyromonas gingivalis modulates E-cadherin expression: a mini-review of possible involved mechanisms

Porphyromonas gingivalis ( P. gingivalis ), the bacterial strain responsible for pathogenic changes in periodontitis, can significantly deteriorate epithelial integrity, leading to its malfunction as a protective barrier against pathogens. As one of the known intercellular adhesive proteins, E-cadherin can be affected by P. gingivalis . This review summarizes the most recent research on the effect of this bacterium on E-cadherin, the suggested involved mechanisms, and the contribution of this protein deterioration in the systemic disease associated with periodontitis. In September 2024, a comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search focused on articles published within the last five years. Review and non-English articles were excluded. Out of 83 records found in databases, 10 records were selected for this study. Most recent studies have consistently demonstrated the downregulation of E-cadherin in P. gingivalis -infected cells and tissues. However, there remains a need to elucidate the contribution of the bacterial infection and E-cadherin downregulation that occur during systemic diseases related to periodontitis, such as Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in cancer development. • E-cadherin is a transmembrane protein crucial in cell adhesion, enabling connections between the epithelial cells. • E-cadherin is transcriptionally regulated by several factors, including Grainyhead-like transcription factor 2 (GRHL2), zinc finger E-box binding homeobox-1 (ZEB-1), β-catenin, and caspase-1. • Numerous inflammatory diseases are associated with the decreased level of E-cadherin, including periodontitis, gingivitis, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, chronic lung disease, and infections caused by enteropathogenic bacteria. • While most recent studies have consistently demonstrated the downregulation of E-cadherin in P. gingivalis infected cells and tissues and the potential therapeutic interventions to mitigate this impact, there remains a need to elucidate the contribution of the bacterial infection and the subsequent E-cadherin down expression in the pathogenic changes that occur during systematic diseases related to periodontitis, such as EMT in cancer development.