Finding out how gum disease is linked to coronary heart disease

Wnt protein activation by periodontal bacteria: implications for atherosclerosis

Professor Sarah George is studying how bacteria that cause gum disease may be linked to coronary heart disease and heart attacks. People with gum disease are more prone to coronary heart disease, but whether gum disease actually causes or worsens coronary heart disease is not clear. Both gum disease and coronary heart disease involve a process called inflammation. In a few cases bacteria that cause gum disease have been found in diseased coronary arteries and oral bacteria have been shown to speed up fatty build-up in blood vessel walls (plaque formation) in atherosclerosis. Professor George and her team have discovered that endothelial cells lining atherosclerotic plaques are activated by a specific pathway known as the Wnt signalling pathway. They have found higher levels of Wnt proteins in human atherosclerotic plaques. The Wnt signalling pathway is also activated by oral bacteria and promotes inflammation. Professor George believes that involvement of the Wnt pathway may explain the link between gum disease and heart attacks – the bacteria causing gum disease could accelerate atherosclerosis by boosting Wnts. In this project, Professor George will determine whether specific oral bacteria activate the Wnt pathway in endothelial cells, immune cells and blocked arteries. She will do this using samples collected from healthy volunteers and patients with gum disease. This research could reveal if blocking the Wnt pathway could reduce atherosclerosis in people with gum disease.