Fibronectin degradation in culture supernatants of PDL cells. PDL cells were challenged with T. denticola for 2 h at an MOI of 500 and then washed and incubated in fresh medium for the indicated times. Culture supernatants were then analyzed in Western blots probed with an anti-FN antibody. (A) Unchallenged control PDL cell supernatants following 7, 24, or 48 h of incubation in fresh medium. (B) PDL cell supernatants following 7, 24, or 48 h of postchallenge incubation in fresh medium. (C) PDL cell supernatants following 24 h of postchallenge incubation in fresh medium. T. denticola strains are 35405 (Td), P0760 (TdP; protease mutant), and MHE (TdM; Msp mutant). Molecular weight standards (in thousands) are indicated.