Treponema denticola is the best studied oral spirochete and numerous studies have shown that it is strongly associated with periodontitis and expresses several putative virulence factors. In this study, we report on a surface protein of T. denticola, Td92, which is homologous to Tp92 of Treponema pallidum, an agent of syphilis. Immunofluorescence assay and immunogold labeling with anti-Td92 Ab revealed that Td92 had surface-exposed epitopes. And Td92 was capable of binding to fibronectin and KB cells, an oral epithelial cell line. In addition, Td92 could enter the KB cells. These results indicate that Td92 is a fibronectin-binding protein which can bind to and internalize into the host cells, facilitating the virulence of T. denticola.

• Hae-Ri Lee(Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University)
• Sung-Hoon Lee(Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University)
• Hye-Kyoung Jun(Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University)
• Bong-Kyu Choi(Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University) Corresponding author