We conclude that cleavage by gingipains directly affects the biological activity of both fibronectin and tenascin-C in a manner that might lead to increased cell detachment and loss during periodontal disease.
Fibronectin (FN) fragments found in chronic inflammatory diseases, including periodontal disease and arthritis, may contribute to tissue destruction in part via induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).
These results suggest that fibronectin in saliva plays an important role as a regulator in the pathogenesis of P. gingivalis fimbriae in adult periodontal disease.
These results demonstrate the importance of fibronectin as a modulator of the pathogenic mechanism of P. gingivalis, a pathogen that causes adult periodontal disease.