Polarization of Porphyromonas gingivalis-specific helper T-cell subsets by prior immunization with Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Antigen-specific T-cell clones were obtained from mice immunized with Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 10953 and/or Porphyromonas gingivalis 381. 10 BALB/c mice per group were immunized with F. nucleatum followed by P. gingivalis, or with P. gingivalis alone by intraperitoneal injection of viable microorganisms. Spleen T cells were isolated and stimulated in vitro with viable P. gingivalis cells to establish P. gingivalis-specific T-cell clones. T-cell phenotypes and cytokine profiles were determined along with T-cell responsiveness to F. nucleatum or P. gingivalis. Serum immunoglobulin G antibody titers to F. nucleatum or P. gingivalis were also determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All the T-cell clones derived from mice immunized with F. nucleatum followed by P. gingivalis demonstrated Th2 subsets, while those from mice immunized with P. gingivalis alone demonstrated Th1 subsets based on the flow cytometric analysis and cytokine profiles. All T-cell clones from both groups were cross-reactive to both P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum antigens. Phenotypes of T-cell clones were all positive for CD4. Mean post-immune serum IgG antibody levels to F. nucleatum or P. gingivalis were significantly higher than the pre-immune levels (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). There were no significant differences in the antibody titers between the two groups. It was concluded that P. gingivalis-specific T cells initially primed by cross-reactive F. nucleatum antigens were polarized to Th2 subset, while T cells stimulated with P. gingivalis alone maintained the profile of Th1 subset.