The Role of Collagen Interacting Proteins in the Pathogenesis of Filifactor alocis

<p>Filifactor alocis is a Gram-positive, asaccharolytic; obligate anaerobe that has emerged as a potential periodontal pathogen due to its presence in high numbers in patients who have periodontal disease and least detection in healthy individuals (Kumar et al., 2003, Kumar et al., 2006, Wade, 2011). There is compelling evidence in the literature that demonstrates that F. alocis has virulence properties that may play an important role in infection-induced periodontitis (Abusleme et al., 2013, Griffen et al., 2012, Hutter et al., 2003, Khader et al., 2006, Siqueira and Rocas, 2003, Siqueira et al., 2009). However, there is a gap in our knowledge about F. alocis mediated host-pathogen interaction and virulence. There is therefore a critical need to study the specific virulence attributes that manifest its abundance only during infectious state as a gateway to proffering potential therapeutic interventions to prevent F. alocis-induced periodontal disease in the host. This introduction is geared towards providing a concise picture into all that is currently known about F. alocis, particularly the role of collagen related proteins of F. alocis in the pathogenicity periodontal disease. The goal is to investigate the specific role of F. alocis proteases in the virulence and pathogenicity of periodontal disease. The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the specific role of F. alocis collagen-degrading proteases in virulence modulation.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Basic Sciences

Year

2016

Author dc:creator

• Chioma, Ozioma Salomey

Contributors dc:contributor

• Fletcher, Hansel M.
• Johnson, Mark S.
• Li, Yiming
• Perry, Christopher
• Soto, Ubaldo
• Wilson, Aruni

• Medical Cell Biology
• Medical Genetics
• Medical Microbiology
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Periodontal Diseases; Collagen; Medical Microbiology; Pathogenic Microorganisms
• Filifactor Alocis; Periodontal Pathogens; Infection-induced Periodontitis; Mediated host-pathogen interaction; Collagen-related proteins

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/368

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1369