Figure 1.

Porphyromonas gingivalis OMV induces VSMC calcification. (A) Image of purified OMV identification through TEM. (B) The cell viability was measured after 4, 24, 48, and 72 h using the MTT assay. The y‐axis represents mean ± SD values of optical densities measured at 450 nm from four wells of one representative experiment. (C) VSMCs were exposed to 0.1, 1, and 10 ng·mL⁻¹ OMV and 10 ng·mL⁻¹ LPS in osteogenic media for 3 weeks with changing media every 3 days. VSMC calcification was determined by Alizarin Red staining. Representative images of stained dishes (upper) and microscopic views (×40, lower) are shown. (D) Total calcium levels were determined by the Arsenazo III method according to the manufacturer's instructions. The results from three independent experiments performed in duplicate are shown (*P < 0.001, compared with control).