Fig. 2.

Porphyromonas gingivalis gingipains (Kgp and Rgp) putatively stimulate in vitro MUC5AC gene expression and protein levels. MUC5AC (A) gene expression and (B) protein levels in NCI‐H292 cells are shown. MUC5AC (C) gene expression and (D) protein levels in primary bronchial cells are designated. Negative [C] and positive [Pg] controls are assigned. P. gingivalis mutant forms [Kgp(–), Rgp(–), Kgp/Rgp(–)] are indicated. All Pg csp used (both wild‐type and mutants) for incubation had a final 5% concentration. Results presented are mean ± SD utilizing 3 independent samples. Statistical analyses were performed using t‐test (**P < 0.01).