TABLE 1.
Major virulence determinants of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitansa
| Virulence determinants | Function |
|---|---|
| Flp-1 pili | Adherence to biotic and abiotic surfaces; autoaggregation |
| ApiA (Omp100) | Adherence and invasion of epithelial cells; protects bacteria from complement-mediated serum bactericidal activity |
| ApiB | Invasion of epithelial cells |
| EmaA | Adherence to collagen |
| Aae | Adherence to epithelial cells |
| Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome polysaccharide | Autoaggregation |
| Dispersin B | Dissemination of bacteria to start a new cycle of transmission and colonization |
| PilA, PilB, PilC, PilD | DNA uptake and natural competence |
| Lipopolysaccharide | Adherence to abiotic surfaces; activation of toll-like receptors and induction of proinflammatory responses; activation of osteoclasts and induction of alveolar bone loss |
| Phosphorylcholine | Adherence and invasion of endothelial cells |
| Leukotoxin | Killing of neutrophils and lymphocytes; induction of proinflammatory responses; hemolysis |
| Cytolethal distending toxin | Inhibition or induction of apoptosis of a variety of cells including epithelial cells, fibroblasts, T cells, and periodontal ligament cells; induction of proinflammatory responses; osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone loss |