Figure 5

TNF-α augments invasion of P. gingivalis through NF-kB and MAPK pathways. (A) JNK and p38 inhibitors blocked TNF-a-augmented invasion of P. gingivalis in Ca9-22 cells. Confluent Ca9-22 cells were preincubated with MAP kinase inhibitors (p38 inhibitor (SB203580, 5 μM), JNK inhibitor (SP600125, 1 μM ) and ERK inhibitor (PD98059, 5 μM)) at 37°C for 1 h and were then incubated with TNF-α. Viable P. gingivalis in the cells was determined as described in Methods. (Means ± standard deviations [SD] [n = 3]). ††, P < 0.01 versus control + TNF-α (-); **, P < 0.01 versus control + TNF-α (+). (B) NF-κB inhibitor suppressed TNF-α-augmented invasion of P. gingivalis in Ca9-22 cells. Ca9-22 cells were preincubated with an NF-κB inhibitor (PDTC, 5 μM) at 37°C for 1 h and were then incubated with TNF-α. Viable P. gingivalis in the cells was determined as described in Methods. (Means ± standard deviations [SD] [n = 3]). ††, P < 0.01 versus control + TNF-α (-); **, P < 0.01 versus control + TNF-α (+).