Figure 3

P. gingivalis LPS ₁₆₉₀ significantly upregulates the expression of MMP-3 proteins. Expression of MMP-3 proteins in the culture supernatants (a) and cellular fractions (b) of HGFs after the stimulation of P. gingivalis (Pg) LPS_1435/1449, LPS₁₆₉₀ and E. coli LPS in a dose-dependent assay (1 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, 1 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml) for 24 h. Time-dependent expression of MMP-3 proteins in the culture supernatants (c) of HGFs after the stimulation of P. gingivalis LPS_1435/1449 (1 μg/ml), LPS₁₆₉₀ (1 μg/ml) and E. coli LPS (1 μg/ml) for 2–48 h. The protein expression levels were measured by ELISA. Each bar represents the mean ± SD of two independent experiments with three replicates. Significant difference as compared with the controls without LPS treatment, *p < 0.05. Significant difference between the cells treated with P. gingivalis LPS_1435/1449 and LPS₁₆₉₀ respectively, ^†p < 0.05. Significant difference between the cells treated with P. gingivalis LPS and E. coli LPS respectively, ^#p < 0.05.