3 TYPES OF BINDING BY PORPHYROMONAS-GINGIVALIS AND ORAL BACTERIA TO FIBRONECTIN, BUCCAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS AND ERYTHROCYTES

This study showed that the interaction of oral bacteria with fibronectin differed with the type of organism examined. Significant binding of fibronectin was found with Porphyromonas gingivalis non-fimbriated (F-) strain in comparison with the fimbriated strain (F+). However, the F+ strain adhered to buccal epithelial cells in significantly larger numbers than the F-strain. Fibronectin binding and epithelial cell adherence were not associated with haemagglutinating activity. These assays clearly define at least three distinct types of binding by oral bacteria: to fibronectin, buccal epithelial cells and erythrocytes.