AUTHOR=Cao Henglong , Lin Jianfeng , Yuan Hao , Yang Zipeng , Nie Min , Pathak Janak L. , Yuan Zi-Guo , Yu Miao 

TITLE=The emerging role of Toxoplasma gondii in periodontal diseases and underlying mechanisms

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1464108

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2024.1464108

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Toxoplasma gondii</italic> (<italic>T. gondii</italic>), an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, is increasingly recognized for its role in various human diseases, including periodontal diseases. Periodontal diseases comprise a wide range of inflammatory conditions that not only affect the supporting structures of the teeth and oral health but also contribute to systemic diseases. The parasite’s ability to modulate the host’s immune response and induce chronic inflammation within the periodontium is a key factor in periodontal tissue damage. Through its virulence factors, <italic>T. gondii</italic> disrupts the balance of inflammatory cytokines, leading to dysregulated immune responses, and exacerbates oxidative stress in periodontal tissues. And <italic>T. gondii</italic> invasion could affect specific proteins in host cells including HSP70, BAGs, MICs, ROPs, SAGs, and GRAs leading to periodontal tissue damage. The indirect role of the host immune response to <italic>T. gondii</italic> via natural killer cells, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells also contributes to periodontal diseases. Understanding these complex interactions of <italic>T. gondii</italic> with host cells could unravel disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets for periodontal diseases. This review delves into the pathogenic mechanisms of <italic>T. gondii</italic> in periodontal diseases, offering a detailed exploration of both direct and indirect pathways of its impact on periodontal health.</p>