Proteolysis of CD14 on Human Gingival Fibroblasts by Arginine-Specific Cysteine Proteinases from Porphyromonas gingivalis Leading to Down-Regulation of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Interleukin-8 Production

Arginine-specific cysteine proteinases (gingipains-R) from periodontopathic Porphyromonas gingivalis cleaved CD14, a bacterial pattern recognition receptor, on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Consequently, gingipains-R reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-8 production by HGF, indicating that gingipains-R inhibited CD14-dependent HGF activation and are involved in immune evasion by the bacterium in periodontal tissues.